What on Earth Is a Fatberg?
Unlike icebergs, you don’t need to explore the Arctic to find fatbergs. These sewer monsters form much closer — right beneath your feet.
A fatberg is a solid mass of fats, oils, grease, and waste materials that people pour down the sink or flush down the toilet. While it may sound like a joke, fatbergs are a growing global problem.
Fatbergs in Action: The London Wake-Up Call
Back in 2017, London had to clear out a fatberg as heavy as 40 tonnes — roughly six times the weight of an elephant. Shockingly, it stretched the size of a red double-decker bus and clogged the city’s sewer system for weeks.
This incident was not only alarming but also a warning for cities worldwide.
Malaysia Isn’t Safe Either
Here in Malaysia, our monsoon seasons make things worse. When drains get blocked by fatbergs, the risk of flash floods increases — leading to costly cleanups and serious damage.
Unfortunately, our everyday habits are feeding this problem without us even realizing it.
How Used Cooking Oil Feeds the Problem
Malaysians love their fried food — from ayam goreng to pisang goreng. But after cooking, many simply pour used oil into the sink.
That’s when the trouble begins. The oil sticks to pipes, clumps with other waste, and slowly grows into a fatberg.
The Good News: You Can Stop the Monster
Instead of dumping your oil, recycle it responsibly. There are several eco-friendly and creative ways to reuse cooking oil:
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Make compost fertilizers by mixing it with organic waste.
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Create artisanal soap with oil, lye, and water (you can easily find video tutorials online).
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Convert it into biodiesel and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) through certified recyclers.
Why Biofuel Recycling Matters
With high oil usage and rising emissions, Malaysia is in a great position to lead in green energy production. Used cooking oil can be turned into low-carbon fuels that power transport — including airplanes.
FatHopes Energy is already doing this by collecting used cooking oil and converting it into sustainable aviation fuel across Southeast Asia.
How You Can Make an Impact
You don’t need to get your hands dirty to help. Just follow these simple steps:
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Store your used cooking oil in a clean, recycled container.
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Download the FatHopes Energy app.
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Sell your used oil directly through the platform.
It’s that easy — and there’s no need for DIY tutorials if you don’t want them.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Feed the Fatbergs
Every drop of oil you save helps protect our drains, prevent floods, and reduce our carbon footprint.
So instead of flushing it away, recycle your oil with FatHopes Energy — and be part of the movement toward a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
