The Fat Guys

Liquid Gold and the Grease Bandits

Matt Rosen — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Listen in as Paul and Matt unravel the surprisingly shadowy world of grease theft, a crime spree sweeping through the United States, particularly the Southeast, with consequences that reach far beyond restaurants losing money. Our episode kicks off with a startling account of used cooking oil theft, dubbed "liquid gold" by the crooks who covet it. We're not just talking about a few slick operations; these thefts lead to environmental risks, create public hazards like car and motorcycle crashes when vehicles slide on spilled oil….and leave restaurants grappling with significant financial hits. The grease underworld isn't just a few rogue individuals; organized rings are in on the action too, tapping into a lucrative black market where this stolen oil powers everything from biofuels to animal feeds.

We're not just here to expose the problem—we're also pouring over solutions. There's a pressing need for accountability through the supply chain and a call for companies to stop turning a blind eye to the dubious origins of their stock. We highlight the role of environmental regulations, the importance of transparency, and how solid partnerships can transform the industry for the better.

Whether you're a food enthusiast curious about the products you consume or a sustainability advocate interested in learning about the circular economy, this podcast will have something for you. So tune in, learn, and let's start some robust discussions about fat!

In this episode:

The surprising and far-reaching impacts of oil theft
Theft's impact on renewable fuels
Indoor tank security
Police reports and combatting restaurant victimization
Organized crime rings and product theft
Transparency in sustainable fuel production
Pollution of The Great Lakes
If one person decides to do or say something, this podcast is a success
Catching thieves pick-axing frozen fat from a dumpster
Damaging personal property and theft actions
Do you have ideas for preventing theft? Write to us!
Join us next episode for a discussion on logistics and transportation

The Fat Guys Podcast is powered by Evergreen Grease. Founded in Adrian, Michigan, in the mid-1990s, the company processes used cooking oil, along with other Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) that can be used for renewable fuel production like biodiesel, a renewable, clean-burning diesel fuel alternative. By partnering with Evergreen, you are making a commitment to your daily operations and the environment. With long-tenured employees who live and work locally, we pride ourselves on anticipating our customers’ needs while upholding our founder's values.

Resources:

Evergreen Grease

The Fat Guys Podcast

Matt Rosen LinkedIn

Paul Dickerson LinkedIn

FOG Management and Restaurant Service

Matt Rosen — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder what happens to all the fats, oils, and grease used in restaurants?

Buckle up, as we, Matt and Paul - industry insiders - share intriguing insights from our days working at a used cooking oil recycler and collecting grease from restaurants. We'll explore the art of delivering fresh vegetable oil directly to a restaurant's fryer and the fascinating world of vacuum trucks in the oil industry. We'll explore the dominance of soybean and canola oil in North America, the widespread use of palm oil in Asia, and the vital role of olive oil in Mediterranean cuisine. We wrap up the episode by examining the future of the fast-food industry and its evolving grease management strategies. Learn how AI technology is revolutionizing the ordering process and how robots are assisting with food preparation.

In this episode:

Matt and Paul’s background in restaurant services and oil usage
Cleaning and maintaining fryers in restaurants
Cooking oils like peanut oil and allergies
Energy prices and used cooking oil
Grease management in restaurant services
How a grease trap works
Preventing slips and falls in restaurants
The importance of interceptor pumping & timely inspections
Grease handling in restaurants
Insights into the circular fats, oils, grease economy

Resources:

Evergreen Grease

The Fat Guys Podcast

Matt Rosen LinkedIn

Paul Dickerson LinkedIn

Talking Compliance with Chris Draper

Matt Rosen — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:12:36 +0000

It's not every day we get to sit down with a visionary like Chris Draper, the newly minted CEO of ESG RACs. As we journey into the world of renewable energy and the circular fats, oils, and grease (FOG) economy, Chris shares his passion for the transformative power of compliance and smart technology. He enlightens us with how ESG RACs is elevating the field with innovations like live tank modeling and third-party storage options. We don't shy away from the gritty realities of the industry, broaching topics like greenwashing, theft, and the importance of a level playing field. We wrap up with an insightful conversation around the future of the circular fats, oils, and grease economy. Join us as we share insights, experiences, and future visions, illuminating the path forward in the renewable energy world.

In this episode:

Benefits of ESG RACs compliance tool
Live tank model versus fifo model
The departure from Third Coast
Innovation and compliance in tech industry
Level playing field's value
Compliance costs and pricing dynamics
Industry compliance journey
Purpose and value of immutable evidence
Building trust with blockchain technology
Circular FOG economy

Resources:

Chris Draper LinkedIn

What is FOG?

Matt Rosen — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:52:16 +0000

Ever wonder about the remarkable journey fats, oils, and greases (FOG) undertake to transform into fuel? In our first episode of The Fat Guys podcast, join us, your hosts, Matt Rosen and Paul Dickerson as we dig in to explore the world of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) - from early origins as humble triglycerides to varied avatars like animal fats and soybean oil. From the notable history of FOG usage - including traditional practices of rendering animal fats to the cutting-edge research of using insects as a fat source - we'll discuss it all, leading to a robust understanding of its significance in our everyday life and, importantly, the circular economy.

In this episode:

The history of lampante oil
Advancements in sustainable aviation fuel
Disposing of fat and grease in drains
Yellow grease
Advancements in science and product testing
Funny anecdote- train cars that keep FOG liquid
Used grease salesman job description
Biodiesel
The incredible history of Monte Testaccio
Renewable fuels from used cooking oil

Resources:

Book: Extra Virginity

What To Expect

Matt Rosen — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:52:30 +0000

Welcome to The Fat Guys Podcast. We’re taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of fats, oils, and greases (FOG), a journey led by your favorite Fat Guys, Matt Rosen and Paul Dickerson. Matt is a Biosystems Engineering major turned accountant, and Paul is a serial entrepreneur and used grease salesman. The Fat Guys share their passion for everything FOG. Tune in [each week?] to hear an insider’s view of the rich history, evolution, circular nature of the industry, and everyday applications of FOG.

In this episode:

The history, development, and modern uses of the FOG industry
Hosts Matt Rosen and Paul Dickerson share their personal stories and their passion for the industry
Strategic locations of multinational corporations to the circular nature of the FOG economy
Who will enjoy this podcast? Food enthusiasts, consumers, and sustainability advocates
Safety and health aspects of the products within the FOG industry
This podcast should foster robust discussions, widen perspectives, and revolutionize understanding of the FOG sector

Resources:

Evergreen Grease

Matt Rosen LinkedIn