Thames Water gives tips to customers to dispose of waste correctly this Christmas

Thames Water is urging customers and businesses to dispose of their waste correctly this festive season.

More than 80 per cent of blockages this year were caused by items such as oils, grease, fat and wet wipes being poured down the kitchen sink or toilet, a rise from 50 per cent two years ago, the water utility company claims.

These substances can congeal to make ‘fatbergs’, with one recent example in East London weighing 35 tons and taking 11 days to clear.

Thames Water said it has visited 4,000 restaurants since April to educate business owners on the dangers of throwing these items down the drains and has shared the following advice for its customers.

Save or freeze leftover gravy or use kitchen roll to soak up what is left and throw it in the bin.

Collect fats, oils and grease using tin foil, a jar or yoghurt pot. Once it hardens, it can be wrapped up and thrown in the bin.

And when doing food shopping, think about how to dispose of waste.

West Berkshire Council does not accept bones from red meat, oils, liquids or fats into its food waste bins, but cooking oil can be recycled at its Newtown Road and Padworth recycling centres.

Further advice by the water company is for customers to get a sink strainer, which helps to catch bits of food that end up in the sink, which can then be thrown in the bin.

Waste and bioresources director at Thames Water Tess Fayers said: “We want all of our customers to be able to enjoy a festive season with free flowing pipes and unrestricted toilet use.

“Sadly, all too often, fats, oils and greases can build up in our sewers, mix with other nasties and cause our sewers to block.

“In the worst cases, this can lead to homes and rivers becoming flooded with sewage.

“I’m afraid extra hot, soapy water doesn’t help as some would believe.

“So, we are asking everyone to think carefully about what goes down the sink this festive season so that we can keep our pipes free flowing for all.”