The pandemic is shining a bright light on the kitchen garbage disposal as increased home meal preparation becomes the new normal. Families now rely on their disposer like never before. Some cities even urge homeowners and apartment dwellers to use their disposers more to help short-handed sanitation crews on collection day.

And homes on a septic system? All systems “go” for disposers there, too.

That’s the advice of wastewater treatment professional Michael Keleman, a 20-year veteran of the water and wastewater treatment industry. The registered Environmental Health Specialist and manager of environmental engineering for garbage disposal manufacturer InSinkErator, has heard his share of misconceptions about the appliance over the years.

6 Million Reasons

He cites six million reasons why garbage disposals work just fine in homes with septic systems.

“Over six million U.S. homes on a septic system have a disposer, according to the 2013 American Housing Survey. In general, if the homeowner’s home already has a disposer, they’re going to replace it because they know the disposer will help keep their home clean,” explains Keleman.

Science, Not Myth

Keleman understands why some homeowners might be skeptical about using a disposer with a septic system. He cautions remodelers and contractors be guided by science and fact, not hearsay.

“Food waste is up to 90 percent water. When food is ground in a disposer, most particles are between 1/8-inch and ¼-inch. Solid build-up is insignificant,” he says.

Septic Friendly

According to a 2019 University of Minnesota study, what the disposer grinds up hasn’t been eaten. Untreated food breaks down far more efficiently and quickly than wastewater. “By definition, wastewater has already been treated once, so it doesn’t break down much more. Research shows food waste disintegrates quite easily in the tank. The disposer has no impact on pump-out frequency. The effect on the septic system is negligible,” he adds.

4 Benefits

Your customers should also be aware of these additional benefits:

• Cleaner, More Hygienic Kitchen. Safe, responsible disposal of wet, smelly food scraps that can support the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Food Waste Reduced up to a Third. A drastic drop in food waste means less dependence on landfills and all the financial, environmental, and health issues they represent.
• Composting Buddy. Disposers can handle bones, eggshells, and dairy products that are off-limits to the composter.
• Better Environment. Food left to decompose in a landfill creates methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas. The city of Boston, for example, found a disposer reduces food waste in the trash by 4.1 pounds per week. That could divert 95 tons of food waste from landfills, which could offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 28 million auto miles