Every time your grease trap or interceptor is pumped out in Florida, the service must be documented with a grease waste service manifest. This requirement comes directly from Chapter 62-705 F.A.C. (Florida Administrative Code), which became effective December 7, 2025. The manifest — specifically Form 62-705.300(3) — creates a chain of custody for grease waste from your establishment to the licensed disposal facility.
If you don't have manifests for your pump-outs, you're out of compliance — and it's one of the first things inspectors check during a FOG inspection.
What Form 62-705.300(3) Requires
The grease waste service manifest is a standardized form that documents the complete chain of custody for grease waste. It tracks the waste from the point of origin (your restaurant) through the transporter (your hauler) to the final disposal or recycling facility.
The form must include the following information:
Originator Information (Your Restaurant)
- Business name and physical address
- Contact person and phone number
- Type of grease removal equipment (trap or interceptor)
- Equipment capacity (gallons)
- Date and time of service
Hauler/Transporter Information
- Company name, address, and phone number
- DEP license number (required under Chapter 62-705)
- Vehicle identification number or license plate
- Driver name
- Volume of waste collected (gallons)
Disposal Facility Information
- Facility name and physical address
- DEP permit number of the receiving facility
- Type of processing (treatment, recycling, or disposal)
- Date waste was delivered
- Volume accepted
Signatures Required
The manifest requires signatures from three parties:
- Originator (restaurant representative): Signs to confirm the waste was collected from the premises
- Transporter (hauler/driver): Signs to confirm receipt of waste and volume collected
- Disposal facility operator: Signs to confirm receipt and acceptance of waste
This three-signature chain of custody is critical. If any signature is missing, the manifest is incomplete, and you may be cited during an inspection.
Why the Manifest Matters
The manifest serves several purposes under Florida's regulatory framework:
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Proves legal disposal. The manifest documents that your grease waste was taken to a permitted facility — not illegally dumped in a storm drain, vacant lot, or unapproved location.
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Verifies hauler licensing. By recording the hauler's DEP license number, the manifest creates a record that you used a licensed transporter.
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Documents maintenance frequency. Your collection of manifests proves you're maintaining your grease removal equipment on the required schedule — typically every 30 to 90 days depending on your county's FOG ordinance.
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Protects you in disputes. If there's ever a question about whether your waste was properly disposed of, the manifest with three signatures is your proof. Without it, you have no defense.
Retention Requirements
Chapter 62-705 requires that grease waste manifests be retained as follows:
- On-site retention: Minimum 1 year of manifests must be kept at the originator's (your) business location, available for inspection at any time
- Off-site archival: It's recommended (and required in some counties) to keep records for 3 years total
- Hauler retention: Your hauler must also retain copies of all manifests for their records
- Disposal facility retention: The receiving facility keeps their copy as well
Important: "Available for inspection" means the physical or digital copies must be accessible during business hours. If an inspector arrives and you can't produce your manifests, that's a documentation violation — even if your hauler has copies. The responsibility to keep your copies is on you.
What to Do If Your Hauler Doesn't Provide a Manifest
If your grease trap service company doesn't provide a manifest after pumping your trap or interceptor, this is a serious red flag. Here's what to do:
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Ask immediately. Before the driver leaves your property, request the manifest. A legitimate, DEP-licensed hauler should have blank forms on the truck.
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Don't sign anything blank. Never sign a manifest that isn't filled out. The form should be completed before you sign to confirm the accuracy of the information.
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Request it in writing. If the driver says the office will send it later, send a follow-up email the same day requesting the manifest. Create a paper trail.
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Verify their DEP license. A hauler who doesn't provide manifests may not be properly licensed. Check their DEP license status immediately.
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Switch haulers if necessary. If your hauler consistently fails to provide manifests, find a new licensed service provider. Your compliance is at stake — the county will hold you accountable for missing manifests regardless of whose fault it is.
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Report to DEP. Haulers who refuse to provide manifests may be operating outside the law. You can report concerns to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's waste compliance division.
Digital vs Paper Manifests
Chapter 62-705 does not mandate a specific format — both paper and digital manifests are acceptable, provided they contain all required information and signatures.
Paper manifests:
- Traditional multi-part carbon copy forms (originator, hauler, and facility each get a copy)
- Simple and universally accepted
- Downside: can be lost, damaged, or illegible
- Must be physically stored and organized
Digital manifests:
- Electronic forms with digital signatures
- Easier to store, search, and retrieve
- Some haulers offer customer portals where you can access all your manifests online
- Accept digital manifests with electronic signatures — they are legally valid under Florida's UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act)
- Recommended: keep a PDF backup even if your hauler provides a portal
Best practice: Regardless of format, create a simple filing system. A dedicated binder (paper) or folder (digital) labeled "Grease Waste Manifests — [Year]" makes inspections smooth. Organize chronologically. When an inspector asks to see your records, you should be able to produce them within 2 minutes.
Common Manifest Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors that lead to inspection citations:
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Missing disposal facility section. Your copy should include where the waste was delivered. If the hauler only fills out the pickup portion, request the completed form after disposal.
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No DEP license number recorded. The hauler's license number must be on the form. "We'll add it later" is not acceptable.
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Unsigned forms. All three signature lines must be signed. An unsigned manifest is an incomplete manifest.
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Wrong volumes. The volume collected should match what your trap/interceptor holds (approximately). If your 1,000-gallon interceptor shows 100 gallons collected every time, it raises questions.
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Inconsistent dates. Service dates on your manifests should align with your maintenance schedule. Gaps suggest missed service.
How Manifests Fit Into Your Overall Compliance
The manifest is one piece of your complete compliance picture under Florida's FOG regulations. To stay fully compliant:
- Maintain your grease trap/interceptor on schedule — see our maintenance tips
- Use only DEP-licensed haulers
- Keep 1 year of manifests on-site at all times
- Prepare for FOG inspections with organized records
- Ensure your trap or interceptor is properly sized for your operation
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lose a manifest? Can I get a replacement? Contact your hauler — they are required to keep copies. The disposal facility also retains a copy. Request a duplicate as soon as you notice it's missing. Going forward, consider taking a photo of every manifest the day it's signed as a backup.
Does my hauler need to provide the manifest the same day? The pickup portion (originator + hauler sections) should be completed and signed at the time of service. The disposal facility section may be completed after delivery. Your hauler should provide the completed form within a reasonable timeframe — typically 7 to 14 business days.
Is there a state-issued template for the manifest form? Chapter 62-705 specifies the required information fields but does not mandate a specific template. Most haulers use their own forms that include all required fields. The DEP may publish a standard form — check floridadep.gov/waste for current resources.
Do I need manifests for used cooking oil pickup? Grease waste manifests under Chapter 62-705 specifically cover grease trap and interceptor waste (brown grease). Used cooking oil (yellow grease) is a different waste stream with different handling requirements. However, keeping records of all grease-related pickups is a best practice.