A Grease Interceptor MFG on GRDs
Green Turtle Technologies, a manufacture of passive grease interceptors produced the following question and answer article on grease recovery devices (GRDs). GRDs have began taking an increased market share in the grease recovery industry. The PDF document can be found on the website with the following link.
The Truth about GRDs - from a passive interceptor mfg
Goslyn Environmental Staff have provided educated responses to the questions and answers created by Green Turtle Technologies.
Green Tech Technologies on GRDs
The Truth about Grease Recovery Devices
Although GRDs are being promoted as a "green" grease control device, they often do not perform well in high-traffic restaurants and food establishments. Breakdowns are an expensive problem that can lead to effluent violations.
(Goslyn performs great in any conditions)
The best way to keep inspectors at bay and to protect the environment is to invest in an engineered grease interceptor or a passive under-sink interceptor.
(Goslyn is a respected participating member of the Ontario Plumbers Inspection Association)
Make sure the interceptor is made of corrosion-resistant fiberglass and does not have any electrical or mechanical parts.
(All Goslyn models are made of high grade stainless steel ... enough said)
Passive grease interceptors are also more effective at brown grease recycling than GRDs.
(Brown grease cannot be recycled. Brown grease goes to landfill. Brown grease is not associated with a GRD)
Q: Is a GRD the same thing as a grease interceptor?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
No. A true grease interceptor is engineered to meet the rigorous inspection standards of local enforcement authorities. If you want to stay in compliance, invest in a true interceptor designed with sufficient volume to ensure grease separation performance.
Goslyn GRD Response
Goslyn Certifications - CSA, ASME, ULc, NSF, BEMEC, MAPAC Goslyn has all required certifications. Any grease interceptor cannot outperform a Goslyn in grease recovery and grease separation. (to name a few)
Q: But don't some GRDs meet wastewater effluent standards?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Oftentimes, they do not. Most GRDs are designed with one minute retention time (or less) which is not sufficient to meet most municipal FOG effluent standards. Even if all of the mechanical and electrical devices are working correctly, the GRD potentially releases thousands of milligrams of grease with every liter of water down the drain, which will result in line blockages. Pretreatment coordinators and inspectors are highly critical of grease removal or recovery devices. In fact, some municipalities have banned them, a practice which is becoming more common.
Goslyn GRD Response
Fats, oils, and grease will not bypass a Goslyn Grease Recovery Device under any condition. No other passive grease trap or grease interceptor can perform to the standard of grease recovery as a Goslyn - plugged in or not. Retention time slows the input of wastewater - wastewater containing grease will not bypass a Goslyn system. As far as the Goslyn being banned, at an increasingrate is just not true. In fact the opposite. As municipality are exposed to the benefits of a Goslyn, some municipalities have made them mandatory.
Q: Why are GRDs being banned?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Regulators and inspectors find that with GRDs, there is too much room for error, leading to drain backups and sanitary code violations.
Goslyn GRD Response
A Goslyn Grease Recovery Device prevents drain backups. Grease does not enter the drain. Sanitary code violations - never, Goslyn does not store rotting brown grease. Goslyn is not banned or on the verge of being banned anywhere in Canada or the USA. Goslyn market share is increasing daily.
Q: What kinds of errors can happen with a GRD?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
"Here's a common scenario," says one commercial kitchens consultant. "A kid working for minimum wage discovers that if he unplugs the GRD, he doesn't have to take out the oil that night. The manager is too busy to notice. It never gets plugged back in. Next thing you know, there’s an overflow."
Goslyn GRD Response
This question is non-sensical but we will answer anyway. Goslyn will effectively recover grease with or without electrical power. An overflow will never occur regardless if it is plugged in or not. If you do not empty the garbage cans - they overflow.
Q: What about mechanical errors?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Any time you have a device with electrical or mechanical parts (such as an immersion heater, flush valve, skimming belt, wheels or pumps), there is ample opportunity for breakdown. Because the GRD unit is not serviced by professionals, this breakdown may not be reported or fixed. It is not long before there is a total breakdown -- or worse, a kitchen overflow or Sanitary Sewer Overflow.
Goslyn GRD Response
No need for service professionals. Goslyn has no moving mechanical parts. The failure of the heater is improbable. The Goslyn will still recover 99.6% of the fats, oil, and grease if the heater fails. The heater enhances the grease recovery but is not dependant on it. A sanitary sewer overflow is caused by a build-up of grease in the sanitary sewer. No skimming wheels, pumps, or belts on a Goslyn.
Q: Does it provide low-cost operation?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
No. Not only do mechanical failures happen, but GRDs also rely on immersion heaters to keep the water hot and to liquefy the grease. The water heater requires an electrical line, is a major operation cost, and must be serviced or replaced frequently.
Goslyn GRD Response
A kitchen temperature is above average room temperature. Grease will not harden at this temperature. Any Goslyn model will use under a $100 in electricity annually. That's it! Annual service costs are non existent. No monthly pump-out costs associated with a Goslyn GRD. Large monthly pump-out costs - Yes, grease interceptors. Grease trap chemicals or bacterias are never used in the same kitchen as a Goslyn.
Q: Are there other service costs?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Yes. For example, GRDs require a basket strainer to remove sediments. The strainer will quickly plug and must be serviced by restaurant staff daily. Fine sediment that goes through the basket strainer needs to be removed by pumping. Remarkably, some GRDs have designs that flush fine sediment down the drain, adding to the potential for blockages.
Goslyn GRD Response
The Goslyn was designed to stop food particles and sediments. Yes, the Goslyn needs to be serviced by restaurant staff daily - simple, clean, and under 2 minutes. From coffee grounds to food solids - Goslyn traps it all. Emptying a Goslyn is as simple as emptying the garbage can - but cleaner.
Q: So, how often do I have to service it?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Unlike large interceptors that operate quietly and continuously for weeks before they are serviced by a professional, GRDs require daily maintenance, usually performed by untrained, junior restaurant staff. One major issue is grease spillage while transferring the grease from the GRD reservoir to the grease holding drum, which is a major safety and hygiene issue.
Goslyn GRD Response
The Goslyn Grease Reservoir is emptied daily. The safety and hygiene issues would be directly comparable to eating the food from the same restaurant.
Q: What happens if my staff don't perform maintenance?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
In that case, the GRD serves as nothing more than a small bump in the pipe. Grease will flow directly into the sanitary sewer system. Some of the municipalities that say "no" to GRDs are doing so because of the fact that in busy kitchens, GRD maintenance often falls through the cracks.
Goslyn GRD Response
All kitchens are busy to various degrees or they would not stay in business. Yes, We agree, that maintenance must be performed 2 minutes daily. Grease will never flow into the sanitary sewer with a Goslyn. We can proudly say that the Goslyn does not have odors, pump-out costs, sanitary sewer overflows or create landfill waste.
Q: How is the GRD cleaned out?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Cleaning out any grease containment system (whether a GRD or a grease interceptor) requires a service professional, to avoid workplace accidents, hygiene violations or improper maintenance that leads to system failure.
Goslyn GRD Response
Simple, Empty the Grease cassette and food solid strainer basket daily ... again 2 minute daily maintenance. No brown grease, no rotting product, no service professional required like a grease interceptor ... so they say. Hygiene violations - impossible.
Q: I have a pretty small operation. Will a GRD work for me?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
GRDs are not built to last, they are built to sell. They are constructed of metals (sometimes very cheap metals) which are prone to corrosion under the conditions of even small-scale commercial kitchens. Not to mention the costs due to electrical and mechanical failure.
Goslyn GRD Response
A Goslyn was designed to fit under any 3-compartment sink. Goslyn is made of stainless steel, and will outlast any grease trap or grease interceptor on the market - fiberglass or not. A Goslyn representative will never see a restaurant owner more than once unless he/she owns more than 1 restaurant. Would a small restaurant require a large in-ground grease interceptor as opposed to a Grease Recovery Device ... Think about it.
Q: The GRD lets me recycle my brown grease. Can an interceptor do that?
A) Green Turtle Technologies (interceptor mfg)
Yes, and it does a better job. Brown grease recycling is part of the professional maintenance process for most underground grease interceptors.
Goslyn GRD Response
This question is nonsensical. Brown grease is rotting grease that accumulates in passive grease traps and grease interceptors (Not GRDs). Since brown grease is not recyclable, it ends up in a landfill site. Brown grease is the cause of rancid odors in passive grease traps and interceptors. A monthly restaurant cost is due to pump-outs of brown grease from grease traps and grease interceptors. What does a 1000 gallon grease interceptor cost to be pumped out? Fair question!
