Do I Really Need a Waste Disposal Unit?
Waste disposal units are a standard feature of most North American kitchens but are still fairly unusual in the UK. These units are starting to appear in glossy magazines and in kitchen showrooms, but are they really useful, or just another pointless, expensive which you’ll never use?
What Do Waste Disposal Units Do?
Waste disposal units are basically grinders, which chew up food waste and scraps, mix them with water and flush them away through the waste water system. It’s a way of dealing with food waste quickly and hygienically, removing the risk of having food going mouldy in the bin, or attracting rats or flies in hot weather. The unit is fitted under your sink, and usually works by pressing a button on the countertop while the tap is running.
Cost of Waste Disposal Units
Most people buy a new waste disposal unit when fitting a new kitchen or sink, but it’s possible to have them retro-fitted too. Units range in capacity of the grinding chamber and the power of the unit’s motor. Prices are anything between £80 for a basic model, through to £450 for a top of the range unit for commercial use. Some of the big brands to look out for are InSinkErator, Moen and Waste King. You’ll need to pay to have the unit professionally fitted too, by a plumber or electrician who has experience with this fitting. If your home uses a septic tank rather than being connected to the sewer system, a waste disposal unit might not be an option for you.
Are Waste Disposal Units Dangerous?
One of the main reservations of customers about waste disposal units is the potential for injury. It is certainly true that if you shove your hand into the unit while it’s running, you’ll be hurt. But this is easily avoided by having simple rules about operating the unit, and keeping children away. You can also buy a magnetic cover which fits over the plughole to stop curious children from fiddling with the waste disposal when your back is turned.
Is Using Waste Disposal Units Better than Recycling?
The main concern about waste disposal units is that they are not an environmentally sound way of disposing of food waste and scraps. In many areas of the UK, the council collects food waste along with the general refuse, and uses it for compost, biofuel and other purposes. If your council is collecting food waste, then it is probably better to use their system rather than flush food waste into the water system. However, food waste isn’t yet being collected in all parts of the UK. Even in areas where it is being collected, storing food waste hygienically and without smells isn’t always possible, especially in flats. Using a macerator or food waste disposal unit to mash up your food waste to flush away is on the other hand more environmentally sound than throwing it away with the general rubbish which goes into landfill sites.
