Who Sets Grease Trap Cleaning Frequency?
If your business operates a commercial kitchen, you’re required to maintain your grease trap at regular intervals. But who decides how often your grease trap should be cleaned? The answer: your local water authority or council sets the frequency, based on your trap size, business type, and trade waste agreement. Waster then arranges the service to make sure your business stays compliant.
✅ Who Sets the Rules
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Local water authorities – e.g. Sydney Water, Queensland Urban Utilities, SA Water, etc. Each authority has guidelines for grease trap servicing.
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Local councils – may enforce or monitor compliance with trade waste regulations.
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Trade waste agreements – when you set up a business, you’ll receive a trade waste permit outlining how often your trap must be serviced.
❌ Who Does Not Decide
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The business itself – you cannot choose to clean “when it suits.” Frequencies are regulated and enforced.
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Waste contractors alone – while Waster and other providers perform the cleaning, the schedule is based on authority requirements, not contractor preference.
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General household rules – grease traps are not for households, so council kerbside waste rules don’t apply.
Typical Cleaning Frequencies
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Most food businesses are required to service grease traps every 1–3 months, depending on:
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Trap size (litre capacity)
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Type of food preparation (light food prep vs. full-service kitchen)
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Volume of trade waste discharged
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Local authority regulations
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Household Context
Households don’t have grease traps — these requirements apply only to businesses with commercial kitchens, such as restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, food courts, and bakeries.
Business Tips
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Check your trade waste agreement – this document tells you exactly how often cleaning must occur.
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Keep records – maintain service logs to demonstrate compliance if inspected.
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Book services in advance – Waster can align your collections with the mandated schedule and take the hassle out of compliance.
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Avoid fines – non-compliance can result in penalties or business disruptions.
Quick Reference
Authority Role | Business Role | Waster’s Role |
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Set grease trap service frequency | Comply with cleaning schedule | Arrange collections on time |
Monitor and enforce trade waste permits | Keep records of maintenance | Provide licensed servicing |
Issue penalties for non-compliance | Engage a licensed provider | Help businesses stay compliant |
Best Practices Summary
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Always follow your local water authority’s trade waste requirements.
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Don’t set your own cleaning schedule — it must comply with regulations.
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Keep service records for inspections.
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Let Waster arrange your grease trap services to ensure compliance and peace of mind.
Conclusion: Compliance Starts with the Regulator
Grease trap cleaning frequency isn’t set by your business or service provider — it’s determined by your local water authority or council through a trade waste agreement. By partnering with Waster, you can easily arrange regular servicing to meet these requirements, avoid fines, and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
👉 Explore Waster’s grease trap services in our online shop.
📥 Download now: Free PDF Business Owners Guide to Grease Trap Services