Lisa Hardy
Environmental Planner
Using a garbage disposal seems to make mealtime clean-up a lot easier, especially after those big holiday get-togethers. But this kitchen catch-all, the mother of all modern conveniences, can actually do more harm than good. The next time you “flip the switch” to make that mess magically disappear, think about where it’s all going and maybe then you’ll think twice.
It’s true, garbage disposals can break up nearly any organic material you put down them. But that’s all they do -- they break things apart into smaller pieces. The problem exists on the other side of the connection where food leaves the blades and enters your plumbing on its way to the sanitary sewer system. This system is designed to manage the flow of wastewater exiting your home, not the scraps and shreds of food leftover on your dinner plates. When these substances are washed down the drain, they cling to pipe walls building up over time, blocking the flow of wastewater. These blockages can lead to backups where raw sewage overflows into homes, onto streets, down storm drains, and into local waterways, posing a serious risk to public health.
What can you do?
The best way to protect your pipes and prevent costly blockages and backups is simply don’t use a garbage disposal at all. Always be mindful of what you wash down the drain and follow these simple rules to keep your pipes clear:
For more information on these and other ways to protect your pipes and prevent sanitary sewer overflows, please go to www.fatfreedrains.com.