The grease trap was first patented in the late 1800s by Nathaniel Whiting from California, USA. 
There has been little progress in the design over the last 120 years. Greasetraps are considered to be inefficient allowing considerable quantities of FOGs to pass through into the drainage system or pump stations, generating foul smells, requiring to be regularly pumped out at significant recurring cost. Some 93% of the greasetrap contents is highly contaminated water. 
Environmental Products and Services Ltd., (EPAS) a Northern Ireland company, started working on a solution to the problem of FOGs back in 1998. Fifteen years later, and having accumulated 14 International Awards in the last 7 years including  the ultimate honour of being nominated as a Winner of the Kitchen Innovations Award at the 2014 National Restaurant Association in Chicago.

The GreaseShield product range represents innovative engineering solutions to the problems of FOGs delivering:-

• Functionality – The products “do what they say on the tin” delivering effluent having a discharge strength effluent of < 100 ppm. Tests carried out over a period of some 3 years in various FSEs (Food Service Establishments) have shown an average effluent strength of 42 ppm. Even more impressive results have been recorded when testing the effluent from convection and combi steam ovens used for cooking chickens and pork.
• Cost Savings – Operational costs associated with pumping greasetraps and kitchen downtime are avoided as are civil engineering costs associated with installation of passive traps and indeed the costs associated with drain blockages, including jetting expenses and the need to excavate soakaways and remediation of contaminated soil. Non compliance costs and fines can be eliminated.
• Revenue Generation – Harvesting renewable energy resources in the form of high calorific FOGs presents the potential for converting negative value wastes into a valuable income stream.
• Protection of the Environment – Safeguard drainage systems and water courses whilst eliminating operational problems and saving money.