Garbage disposal is a machine used to scrape dirty dishes straight into the sink. When using this machine, you don’t have to worry about food leftovers clogging your sink pipes. Garbage disposals were invented in 1927 by John W. Hammes. In the latter days, modern sinks have the disposal built-in, and this minimizes the installation cost.
Just like any other household equipment, garbage disposal has its advantages and disadvantages. Below are common pros and cons associated with this machine.
Pros of Garbage Disposals
1. Reduction of landfill wastes- landfills are wastes products and materials that fill the land. It’s estimated that kitchen and food leftovers make up to 25% of all household waste. In case these food waste are buried, they result in landfills. This is because some of these food wastes take a long period to decompose. Garbage disposal alleviates the user from such problems. This machine grinds all kitchen materials into decomposable materials.
2. Prevent sink clogging- Sink clogging occurs when large food wastes clog the sink pipes. A garbage disposal grinds food into small particles and thus avoiding clogging issues. Therefore, you’re saved from costs that would be incurred in repairing the sink.
3. Easy to maintain- Garbage disposal is generally easy to use and maintain. Anyone can operate the machine. Also, the equipment comes with a manual. The manual instructs the user on how to use the machine. Similarly, no trained personnel is required to operate the machine.
4. Speeding up cleanup- With garbage disposal, the process of cleanup is easier and faster. Food leftovers can be scraped into the sink without having to deposit them into the trash can. The cleaner can therefore avoid movements while cleaning. Thus, the cleaning process takes a shorter time as compared to when a trash can is used.
5. Reduced odor- Everybody strives to cut down the odor that comes from rotting food materials. The garbage disposal machine helps to cut down the odor from rotting foods. This is so because the scenarios of food rotting in garbage and trash cans are avoided. Also, washing detergents can be used to get rid of the odor that may come from the machine.
6. Sanitary–in sink disposals (garbage disposal techniques) are known for maintaining the hygiene of the kitchen. This is because they getting rid of food scraps faster as compared to other methods. If you have no time to wash your dishes, or there’s simply no trash can to compost your food scraps, this method would be the best. Also, by minimizing the odor from rotting foods, it preserves kitchen hygiene.
7. Flexibility– Garbage disposals work almost everywhere. That is, they are not limited to any type of sewage system. They can be used in household sinks, municipal sewers, and septic tanks. Also, they can be used together with the septic tank. However, it is only the size of the garbage disposal that changes from one sewage system to another.
8. Affordable- the cost of garbage disposal varies depending on its size. The medium-sized garbage disposal will cost you between $80 and $200. Other smaller additional costs include the installation fee, and if you’re skilled in the plumbing field, you can install it yourself. The garbage disposal equipment can serve you for around 5 to 10 years of use.
9. Convenient- when you have installed the garbage disposal, you don’t need to have trash cans. Thus, the cleaning is faster and convenient as the food leftovers can be scraped directly into the sink.
10. Protect the environment- disposal of food wastes may contribute to air pollution.
Having a garbage disposal machine helps you to protect the environment as the food debris is managed.
Cons of Garbage Disposals
1. Careful use- Despite its numerous advantages, this machine should be handled with care. To avoid clogs and jams in the system, you need to avoid fatty debris, fibrous foods, and hard materials like bone.
2. High repairing costs- in case the unit starts to fail, it is expensive to repair it. Also, after repairing, it may break down after few days of use. Therefore, it is advisable to replace the unit rather than repairing it.
3. Continous clogging- Clogging is one of the common irritating disorders that is experienced by garbage disposal owners. Negatively, these disposals are not designed to trash all kinds of food debris, and therefore when it is likely to clog.
4. Can cause injuries- one of the side effects of this equipment is the possibility of injuries. This is mostly the case where the owner is careless or reckless. Therefore, everyone has to learn how to properly use the machine before using it to avoid such problems.
5. Requires regular maintenance- when you’re using the garbage disposal, some food materials and particles end up remaining inside. These materials or particles end up decaying and finally start to odor.
6. Do not work well with a septic tank- it is a bad idea to use the garbage disposal together with a septic tank. This is because the garbage disposal equipment introduces additional waste into the tank.
7. Expensive- The medium-sized garbage disposal will cost you between $80 and $200, and other additional costs include the installation fee. Not all people can afford to buy it. Also, the maintenance cost is higher as compared to that of trash cans.
8. Competition from other waste disposals techniques- the presence of other ways of disposing of waste has hindered the realization of garbage disposal techniques.
9. Bad odor- when using the garbage disposal, all the food leftovers that you grind don’t disappear. Else they decay and eventually produce a bad smell. If not controlled, the bad odor would lead to air pollution.
10. Breakdowns- All machines are prone to breakdowns, garbage disposals are no exception as they also break at some point. After breakage, there’s a leakage of waste that can result in pollution. If the breakage is too much, you’ll have to buy a whole garbage disposal unit.
