In the face of a rapidly growing population, finding an appropriate method of dealing with household waste continues to be a matter of heightened importance. Food waste accounts for more than 30% of the total rubbish in household garbage bins therefore suitable treatment options for this organic component could help alleviate a global waste problem.
At a global level countries are keen to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and provide alternatives to wood fuel. At a national level, residents, commerce and industries want to reduce their dependency on unpredictable price fluctuations of fuels. From a waste management and environmental impact perspective, state and local governments are committed to the issue of climate change and proving measures to avoid methane emissions from landfills.
Therefore alternative methods of food disposal would potentially impact significantly. Food waste disposers while serving a practical function in terms of household hygiene and convenience have the potential to provide a number of benefits on a far broader scale.

What happens to food that is thrown away ?

Australia is heavily dependent on landfill as a means of waste management. In fact, the majority of non-recycled waste will end up in landfill sites.
Estimates suggest each household produces close to 1.5 tonnes of waste each year. And nearly half (47% in 2009-10) of all household waste is organic – namely food scraps. One concern is that waste generation has been growing at a disproportionate rate. Between 1997 and 2012 – when overall population growth was 22% – the volume of waste production jumped by 145%.3
The problem here is that landfills are effectively an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ solution. They potentially have a detrimental impact on surrounding air, water and land quality. There are, however, better ways of managing wastes, especially food waste. A by-product of anaerobic organic waste decomposition is a gas which consists of around 50% methane. Methane in the atmosphere is a strong contributor to climate change, being over 20 times more potent in this regard than carbon dioxide.4 However, if captured and ‘cleaned’, it can be harnessed as a valuable renewable energy source. Using a food waste disposer can facilitate just that without the social dis-amenity associated with landfilling.

InSinkErator® Food Waste Disposers

InSinkErator offers a quicker and more efficient way of dealing with food waste. On a household level, food waste disposers improve the convenience and hygiene of dayto-day kitchen function. Eliminating organic waste from bins can improve household comfort and reduce the risk of attracting vermin or causing odours, particularly when temperatures climb in the summer. On a broader scale, however, they can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill, with the potential to convert food waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion processes which capture the gas generated.

 

As we continue to embrace this technology as a nation, food waste disposers will play an increasingly pivotal role in a total waste management solution.