Blog Layout

Garburators, Composting and Our Environment….

pmcplumber • Feb 21, 2020

There has been a debate about garburators going on for many years.  Are they helping or hurting our environment?  Let’s try to look at both sides…

Benefits

Clearly using a garburator is much better than throwing your leftover food scraps in the garbage.  Disposals definitely help to reduce the food waste that hits our landfills.  This is a benefit!  Garbage disposals grind up the food waste into tiny pieces that can be sent down your drain and then treated at local wastewater facilities.  They also cut down on food smells until garbage day comes!  

They do need to be used properly and sending the wrong type of food waste down the disposal can cause problems.  Fruit pits, coffee grounds, egg shells, potato peels, grease, fibrous foods and bones should never be put down the garbage disposal. 

If you don’t have a way to compost your food waste a garbage disposal is a great option!

Concerns

These disposals can cause extra work for the local wastewater facilities.  These food particles have to be filtered out and then the solids left can be used for fertilizers or they are then sent to the landfill.   This can cause extra work for the local treatment facilities but most are made to handle it well.  

There is concern that garburators increase the nutrient loads and decrease the oxygen levels in our rivers.  Airdrie sewage is pre-treated with nutrients to eliminate sulfides before it is pumped  to the City of Calgary treatment plant.  Once the sewage is treated by the City of Calgary it is released into the Bow River.  Keeping our waterways clean is something we can all take a part in! 

Another concern is the amount of water a garburator uses when most places are trying conserve water.  

Finally, the most environmental way to dispose of our food waste is composting .  Most communities now have composting programs available.  If that is not something you can do, a garburator is a great choice as well!  Just make sure you are careful about what you put down there and how much water you use.  If you need a garburator installed OR removed….. Call Paul because He loves this stuff! 

587-583-5495

pmcplumber@gmail.com

You might also like

By pmcplumber1 07 Mar, 2024
The Do's and Don'ts of putting coffee grounds down your kitchen sink drain.
By pmcplumber1 04 Oct, 2023
What is that smell???
Alt='Rinnai Heat Exchanger replacement and routine annual maintenance
By pmcplumber1 03 Mar, 2023
Time for that long awaited, luxurious bath......
tankless water heater
By pmcplumber1 07 Jun, 2021
Pros and maintenance of a Tankless Water Heater
By pmcplumber 09 Oct, 2020
These dark finishings are adding a beautiful, eye catching touch to kitchens and bathrooms this fall. These finishes add a traditional, contemporary yet rustic modern touch to your beautiful new space. They are typically made of a very stylish and durable steel that will last for years, no matter what design style they are paired… Read More
Show More

Book a Service Today

Share by: