The municipality presented its approach to environmental sustainability and health protection during the fourth Sustainability Forum, organised by Fujairah Hospital, part of Emirates Health Services.

Fatima Maksah, Head of the Health Control Department at Fujairah Municipality, presented a working paper focusing on the importance of installing and maintaining cooking oil and grease traps at food establishments.

According to the municipality, the systems can help prevent the accumulation of oils and grease in drainage networks, which can affect the efficiency of infrastructure and contribute to environmental pollution. The municipality linked proper grease management with wider efforts to maintain public health and a sustainable urban environment.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of integrating grease-trap management into the emirate’s health and environmental control framework. Strengthening compliance with approved requirements, the municipality said, can help prevent practices that negatively affect drainage infrastructure while reinforcing the responsibility of food establishments in managing their environmental impact.

For restaurants, commercial kitchens and food-service operators, effective grease management forms part of the wider hygiene and facilities management process. Regular inspection, cleaning and appropriate disposal of collected fats, oils and grease can help reduce the risk of blockages and support the reliable operation of drainage systems.

The municipality also showcased several sustainability initiatives at the forum’s accompanying exhibition. These included strategies related to the sustainable use of modern building materials and a certified organic fertiliser product, presented as an example of resource recovery and circular economy applications.

The initiatives reflect a broader focus on connecting public health, environmental compliance and infrastructure management within the emirate’s sustainability efforts.

For food-service businesses, the emphasis on grease traps also highlights an often-overlooked aspect of kitchen hygiene: maintaining the infrastructure beyond the kitchen itself.