Garbage Disposal vs Trash Cans, what is your way of disposing of food waste? In my case, garbage disposal seems convenient because it doesn’t contribute to the increasing smells in my kitchen as the loaded trash cans do. But trash cans do not make my time consumed in food processing. How to know which one is better?
Garbage disposal makes food waste travel from processing in the machine to water treatment plants ending at landfills. Whereas trash cans accumulate waste in bins, leading to the same end of the line following a straightforward pathway.
In this article, I will mention the contributing factors of garbage disposal in food disposal. How about trash cans that end your food waste in landfills, contributing to increasing atmospheric heat? Additionally, you will learn the pros and cons of dumping food via disposal or trash cans.
Garbage Disposal vs Trash Cans – Which one to choose?
Putting the environment at risk without considering the practical disposal of the waste is not a good idea. You should be aware of the detrimental risk you pose to humanity by randomly dumping food waste. Read the comparative analysis of garbage disposal vs. trash cans to make your choice.
1. Contribution to the Environment
You may think garbage disposal wastes your time while converting larger foods particles into smaller ones, but believe me, it only takes action to make it less in the amount that goes in landfills.
Whereas the as-it-is food waste, when thrown in trash cans, fills the most space in the landfill area. Hence, contributes to producing greenhouse gases and increases the atmosphere’s temperature at a rate 30 times higher than carbon dioxide.
Final Verdict: the above statement mentioned that garbage disposals prove more eco-friendly than trash cans.
2. Convenient
Garbage disposal is undoubtedly convenient, providing a less tiring way of doing dishes. But you must turn it on, ponder on the things that go down inside while separating those it does not handle, and wait for the time it takes to complete the task.
On the other hand, trash cans are placed right in front of you, inviting garbage to be settled inside for further transferring to its last stage. Also, it makes you independent of segregating various food items from going down in the trash cans.
Final Verdict: trash cans are more convenient than garbage disposal as you do not need patience while dumping the waste in the bins.
3. Transportation
What makes me stick to the garbage disposal is the transportation cost savings. When you put food scraps into the garbage disposal, you leave the transportation responsibility to the drainpipes that lead to sewage.
In other words, the process begins in a garbage disposal chamber and is transported for recycling in local water treatment, whereas the leftover goes to landfills.
On the contrary, you have to wait for the garbage truck to come and carry your trash cans filled with garbage. Apart from the increased pollution in the atmosphere, the process will cost you a lot.
Final Verdict: if you ensure that the overall waste settles in landfills, I advise processing it in the garbage disposal and leaving the tension of transporting it.
4. Waste
Do you ponder disposing of the waste in the garbage disposal or randomly putting it into the trash? As you know, the garbage disposal is a fragile device not in structure but in handling certain waste elements. You must know that plastic, paper, silverware, or any hard object is prohibited from traveling down the unit.
On the other hand, trash cans relieve you from managing food scraps, plastic bags, polyethene’s, cutlery, and toiletries all at once. You have only one task to stuff in the cans and nothing else.
Final Verdict: garbage disposal make you restrict particular food waste, while trash cans invite all.
5. Hygiene
Which disposal method is hygienic and why? You must know the answer; however, I need to elaborate so you can decide wisely for the future. Garbage disposal is more hygienic than trash cans. The machine uses the water to convert waste into finer chunks leaving no element behind to produce odor.
On the other side of the coin, trash cans are the shelter home of breeding germs. As all the different kinds of waste are gathered in the garbage bins, so do the chances of falling ill because of disease-causing bacteria.
Final Verdict: you must dispose of food waste via garbage disposal to maintain hygiene practices.
6. Maintenance
Garbage disposal demands maintenance from the start. In this regard, you must know what to put and not to put inside it, when to press the reset button, and call a technician. Moreover, it is prone to frequent clogging when you leave them unattended.
On the contrary, trash cans have no maintenance except for one; you should be conscious of the time when it becomes full to replace them with another.
7. Installation Cost
Garbage disposal is a machine and exhibits initial purchasing costs. You must hire a plumber to install it under the kitchen sink. Also, the charges double when you add the budget for plumbing and pipe fittings. Initially, the appliance costs you around 50-300 dollars.
On the other hand, trash cans are big bags of plastic and paper. However, these bins only cost you $ 50, which is far cheaper than garbage disposal.
Final Verdict: The garbage disposal is costly but eco-friendly. At the same time, the trash can is cheaper and a serious environmental threat.
8. Durability
Garbage disposal possesses the longest durability. Even the aged disposal will serve you for 12-15 years. In comparison, trash cans are a long-time investment if you pay attention to their maintenance.
Final Verdict: who last long depends on the way you treat them. Even then, the garbage disposal is a fair deal to dispose of waste safely.
Is Garbage Disposal Better for Environment?
When you compare disposing of food waste via garbage disposal or trash can, the former is better for the environment. The following pros and cons of a garbage disposal will make you realize the correct way of food disposal.
Pros
- Garbage disposal prevents food from rotting and grinding it.
- The hygienic machine does not spread environmental diseases.
- Leftovers are safely traveled from the drain pipes to the sewerage.
Cons
- Garbage disposal takes time to grind food completely.
- You are obliged to maintain disposal timely
- You may deal with disposal at any time.
What is the Difference Between a Trash Compactor and a Garbage Disposal?
Trash compactors are the other names for trash cans equipped with a crushing system. Your food is not left unattended but compressed regardless of which item you put in it. On the other hand, garbage disposals are machines installed underneath the kitchen sink and are used for flushing waste to the septic system.
What is the Most Eco-Friendly Method of Disposal?
The most eco-friendly method of disposal among others is composting. The process is similar to the decomposition in which you compost waste to convert it into valuable resources for soil, such as fertilizers. Also, it prohibits food waste from going down in landfills conserving the natural habitat.
Conclusion
Whether I stick to the garbage disposal or trash can, I do not want the landfills to be the final destination for my food waste. In this article, I have compared both disposal methods and concluded that garbage disposal is safer and greener.
Asad is a garbage disposal enthusiast, mechanical engineer by education, and the visionary founder of Best Pro Product. Asad’s journey has seamlessly blended his engineering acumen with his passion for kitchen gadgets, leading to the creation of a go-to online platform for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts seeking expert guidance on garbage disposals. His meticulous research, hands-on testing, and insightful reviews have established him as a trusted authority, while his commitment to sustainability resonates through his advocacy for proper waste disposal and reduced food waste. Asad’s interactive engagement with his community and his penchant for experimenting with new recipes make him not just an online resource but a friendly companion for those navigating the world of kitchen appliances and eco-friendly living.