Garbage disposal units are probably present in the home of every single environmentally conscious citizen out there, and they have played a rather essential role in cutting down the negative impact untreated organic waste on the environment. In case you do not have one at home, here are eight interesting facts about garbage disposals.
1. Garbage Disposals Are Responsible for A Sizable Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Organic food waste from most households decomposes and emits methane, which is one of the largest contributors to global warming today. Garbage disposals grind up the extra food waste instead of letting them go into the garbage bin, which allows the smaller particles to pass through plumbing without clogging it up.
2. The Idea of Garbage Disposals Was First Introduced in The Year 1927
The very first garbage disposal in existence was created by an American architect based in Wisconsin, from his home workshop. Eleven years later in 1938, the InSinkErator Company became the first commercial manufacturer of garbage disposal units in the country. This means that the idea for garbage disposals is actually a lot older than we might have assumed.
3. Garbage Disposals Are Highly Effective Especially in Urban Areas
Cities are areas where garbage is generated at alarmingly high rates, and efficient waste disposal is the need of the hour in these places. In this regard, garbage disposal units are highly favorable because of their ability to cut down the waste coming out of each household by a substantial amount, making the cumulative total amount of waste reduce dramatically. This in turn can also impact the rodent and pest problem that many cities face.
4. Garbage Disposals Come in Different Sizes
Garbage disposal units are not ‘one size fits all’ appliances, contrary to what many might think at first glance. Every household has a different set of needs from their disposal unit, with the number of members, the frequency of usage of the unit, the amount of food that is prepared, and many more other factors. To suit these unique needs, waste disposal units are manufactured in different sizes as well as power.
5. Your Home Will Benefit Along with The Environment
It is a well-known fact by now that waste disposal units are a great method of cutting down on the waste that comes out of each home, which is an environment friendly alternative to regular waste disposal. However, your sink suffers less with the installation of a disposal because it shreds all the waste and allows it to pass through the plumbing system. Read more about some good waste disposal units on Down the Sink.
6. Disposal Units Cannot Grind Anything and Everything That You Put in Them
Disposal units are meant for grinding food waste; however, not all food waste can be grinded by your unit, and some waste can actually damage your disposal. For instance, hard wastes like bones can wear down the blades and make them dull over time, and oil, grease and starch can solidify and stick to the sides of the unit, causing an eventual blockage. To prevent these issues, it’s important to know how to dispose of cooking oil, grease, starch, bones and other waste properly to maintain your disposal unit’s optimal performance.
7. Disposal Units Can Be Cleaned in Many Ways
One of the most common ways of cleaning disposal units is to leave cold water running and add some cleaning liquid or powder into the unit to help wash the blades. Many people also choose to grind up frozen cubes of vinegar to eradicate any foul odors emanating from the disposal or grind citrus peels with cold running water for the same purpose.
8. Garbage Disposals Are Getting More And More Popular
More households are realizing the importance of disposal units every day and are having them installed in their kitchen. However, there is a long way to go yet; only fifty percent of American households have a disposal unit at home and a majority of them still haven’t considered getting one.
Hopefully, these facts make you consider getting a disposal at home, if you haven’t already got one. If you do have one, it never hurts to appreciate what you have a little bit more!
