Grease guinea pigs strike gold

09/12/2005

Three lucky women have won a shopping spree after becoming grease aware.

The winners were chosen from thousands across the North East who took part in a trial as part of Northumbrian Water’s Grease Monkey campaign which highlights the problems caused when grease is put down the drain.

About 9,000 customers in Whitley Bay, Durham and Barnard Castle were sent a trial jar in which to collect their kitchen grease before putting it in the bin.

People who took part in the trial and completed a questionnaire went into the draw for three £100 shopping vouchers which were won by Mrs A Bartlett from Whitley Bay; Dr Carol Campbell from Durham and Mrs Sara Gee from Barnard Castle.

The Grease Monkey campaign - which is raising awareness of the problems of grease being put down sinks and drains instead of correctly in the bin - is championed by Chips, a cartoon character.

Mrs Sara Gee, aged 27, a nurse at Bishop Auckland hospital, said: “When I got the chance to be part of Northumbrian Water’s trial in a product to help protect the environment and stop household grease being put down sinks and drains, I was so pleased as I think it is a fantastic idea and solution!

“Not only have I been educated to understand the related problems and solutions to prevent these problems happening, I am extremely pleased to have won £100 shopping voucher.”

Northumbrian Water’s results proved that peoples’ awareness had been raised significantly on the problems grease can cause and that customers preferred to use their own containers rather than pay a nominal fee for the Grease Monkey jar.

People should use alternative ways to dispose of their household grease - such as old jars and containers - or scrape fat into old newspapers and throw it in the bin.

Hot or cold grease is a problem when it is put down sinks and drains.  The grease blocks the sewers which causes homes being flooded and damage to the environment being caused.

For further information please contact Joanne Dye on 0191 301 6733.