New regulations to control the disposal of used cooking oils are not being enforced by local authorities, according to a survey by catering equipment manufacturer Aga Foodservice.
The group found that only 14% (or four) of 27 borough, city and district councils questioned had a clear understanding of the rules that came into effect in October 2004.
Three councils said they had never heard of the regulations, which require caterers to pay authorised collectors to take away used oils, and six others admitted they were doing nothing to enforce them.
Aga claims that many small restaurants and snack bars are still pouring used oils down the drain, creating costly blockages.
by Angela Frewin