As Fats, Oils, and Grease programs mature and expand throughout the world, we’re always on the lookout for unique and ‘wacky’ ideas. Today we explore a partnership between regulators and business, and how last week $60,000 was awarded to support the innovation.
Overview
The Tempe Grease Cooperative, operated by the City of Tempe’s Environmental Services Department in Arizona, offers an optional compliance membership to their restaurants. Grease producing businesses who join the cooperative make a commitment to care and pay for maintenance on their removal devices. In return, they receive clear, low-cost services and high-quality work, because of the City brokers price and maintenance agreements on behalf of the community restaurants. This collective purchasing allows the City of Tempe to serve as a business advocate for co-op members, rather than a regulator.
Almost 20% of Tempe’s grease producing establishments have enrolled in the TGC. Those who opt out must still abide by the city’s FOG Program code requirements.
Innovation Fund Award
TCG members are now extra pleased with their decision, as the cooperative was recently awarded $60k from Tempe’s Innovation Fund to help businesses replace their degraded, leaky grease traps through short-term loans. The short-term loans are to be repaid without interest and the money will go back into the fund for other businesses to use.
Learn More
The Tempe Grease Cooperative uses customized SwiftComply software for their data management solution. If you’re interested in hearing more about this program or connecting with their project leaders we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Or if you have a ‘wacky’ FOG idea brewing and need execution help, get in touch with hello@swiftcomply.com and let’s make it happen!