A garbage disposal is a very handy thing to have in a kitchen. Designed to grind food scraps small enough so that they drain away into the sewer or septic tank, a garbage disposal unit helps reduce the amount of garbage a household produces. This plays a part in reducing the amount of garbage sent to waste treatment facilities or landfills.
Does that mean, however, that anything can be put down a garbage disposal unit? Not at all. Care needs to be taken when it comes to what can be put down there. Many items can damage the garbage disposal and, if draining into a septic tank, can create issues there also. Nonfood items should never be placed into a garbage disposal system. That may seem obvious but its very easy for things like beer bottle caps and aluminum foil to make their way into the sink.
What about food items? Can any food go down the garbage disposal? Again, no. Bones or anything hard that could damage the blades should not be placed in the unit, even foods like corn husks, potato peels or highly fibrous foods can be a problem. Make sure, if you really have to put them down there, to only do it in small amounts so that the garbage disposal or pipes do not clog up. Grease, oil and chemicals should not be put down there either. When the garbage disposal unit is in use, make sure you run water also. This way, food will move through piping easier. It’s a good idea to keep the water running for a short while after you have shut off the garbage disposal.
Yes, a garbage disposal unit can be a helpful appliance to have in a kitchen but, as with all appliances, they are only good for the purpose they are intended for which, in this case, is small, left over food scraps.
