GULF SHORES, Ala. — If each resident in Gulf Shores poured 1 teaspoon of oil down the drain every day it would accumulate to 220 gallons of oil dumped in the system in one month.

“It doesn’t take much if everybody is doing it,” Tommy Segars, supervisor of the Gulf Shores Collections Department, said.

The city of Gulf Shores is urging residents to stop pouring oil and grease down their drains and, instead, hand it over with the implementation of the new grease recycling program.

Collaborating with its neighboring city, Gulf Shores is collecting greasy remains that will be transformed into bio-diesel to fuel Orange Beach city cars.

The program is in its first phase and has already seen 50 to 75 participants.

So what’s in it for Gulf Shores?

Segars said it’s all about keeping grease out of the drains.

“Both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach utilities want to get the grease out of the systems,” general manager of the Gulf Shores Utility Board Clifford Johnson said. “Grease is the number one problem in any sewer system. It can cause blockage, which leads to overflows in manholes and back-ups.”

Both Johnson and Segars said the liquid oil that seamlessly goes down the pipes will turn to a substance as hard as concrete.

Johnson said many residents have the misconception that pouring hot water or soap down the drain with grease eliminates the clogging problem.

“That’s not going to prevent it from turning into a solid,” Johnson said. “It may go farther down the line before it turns into a solid.”

Backups can occur at a sewer customer’s home, within their neighborhood lines or even at a city pump station. There is also a mission to work with real estate agencies and apartment complexes to hit high concentrated areas hard.

Commercial customers are not a concern, according to Johnson, because they have contracts with companies to collect their grease. But Segars encouraged restaurants to take part in the program if they need to.

Any types of food derived oils, like vegetable oil or cooking grease, is accepted and does not have to be strained. However, petroleum products, like motor oil, are not accepted.

Participants can pick up empty jugs and drop off full ones at Gulf Shores Utilities located at 149 East 16th Ave.

A plan to add bins at the Erie Hall Meyer Municipal Annex and at the utility building will be carried out during the first of the year.

Residents can also pick up jugs at the Orange Beach Community Development building, 4101 Orange Beach Boulevard.