The City of Tempe is pleased to offer downtown restaurants the opportunity to participate in a new and innovative “green partnership” to better manage fats, oils and grease by joining together to procure superior quality service at a lower cost. After almost three years of research and development made possible by a U.S. Department of Energy grant, the City is launching the Tempe Grease Cooperative (TGC), a voluntary program that will:
- Reduce odors and plumbing backups by providing great service for Tempe’s restaurants,
- Create more sustainable plumbing and municipal sewer infrastructure, and
- Explore the use of trap and interceptor waste as a renewable energy supply.
As the administrative arm of the cooperative, the City will collectively purchase grease trap and interceptor maintenance services and manage the contracts on behalf of member restaurants, with no added cost for administration. The City’s “Grease Squad” will provide additional no-cost services such as plumbing and odor diagnostics to ensure traps and interceptors are performing as designed, and will be available to ensure that members’ needs are met and concerns are addressed. Required cleaning and maintenance activities will be performed under the City’s administration, eliminating members’ compliance risk for those activities.
Vendor contracts will be designed to provide discounts as membership grows, and members may be eligible to receive additional financial benefits such as: rebates for cost differentials from previous years, year-end “grease dividends” for City cost savings resulting from the program, “finder’s fees” for recruiting new members, and cost saving opportunities for member infrastructure upgrades to effectively manage grease.
The program will be voluntary, and restaurants can choose to join or withdraw at any time. Prior to enrollment, prospective members will receive detailed information about terms and benefits, including pricing. The City is committed to ensuring that TGC membership provides value to Tempe’s restaurants and the community as a whole. The Cooperative’s success depends on your enrollment, and we are excited and determined to create measureable value for you.
Member Benefits
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lower costs
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better service
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quality assurance
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continuing cost decreases as membership grows
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“finder’s fee” for members that bring in new restaurants
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potential year-end dividends based on system-wide savings
Say Goodbye to:
Community & Environmental Benefits:
Restaurateurs are talking…
"It's great to see the City of Tempe being forward thinking in the area of recycling and the handling of waste grease. There are many things with energy value right under our noses that are being wasted or underutilized, and it's great that Tempe is looking for these kinds of opportunities.”
Julian Wright, owner
La Bocca Pizzeria & Wine Bar and Canteen Modern Tequila Bar
“We’re all trying to be a little more green these days. The cooperative will be a good thing for restaurants and our customers, as well as our community and the environment.”
Eddie Goitia, co-owner
Monti’s La Casa Vieja
Contact: 480-350-2678; grease@tempe.gov
Complete the Statement of Interest & Value Survey and email to grease@tempe.gov