What are the options for kitchen waste disposal?

Thursday, 4 August 2011 9:39 AM

Waste disposal is a growing concern for households and governments around the world, as the amount thrown away increases and landfills overflow with rubbish. However, there are various ways to get rid of waste that can help in this regard, such as the installation of cheap kitchen accessories like stainless steel waste disposers.

Fitting one of these in the kitchen can be good for the environment in several ways, especially through producing less waste for garbage collection.

This means there are fewer lorries on the road and lower pollution and emissions as a result. The disposal units themselves are convenient, clean and hygienic, cheap to run, smell and mess-free, and safe and easy to use, so they could be perfect for any homeowner keen to do their bit to help the planet.

These stainless steel gadgets complement other green measures as well, such as composting. Over a third of rubbish produced in the home is either garden or food waste, most of which is taken to landfill, where it then gives off methane when it breaks down - a gas that has a big impact on climate change.

Composting can help tackle this and also has other added benefits when mixed into soil and used in the garden, such as helping the earth to hold moisture and providing nutrients to boost plant growth, as well as slowing the growth of irritating weeds.

Homeowners keen to start composting should perhaps invest in a specific kitchen waste bin for rubbish.

There are various options available and homeowners are sure to find bins that suit their different needs. For example, some are freestanding and come with a lock back lid so it stays open when necessary, others have a rotary dampener to seal the lid quietly and particular products feature power-assisted wide pedals to make opening the waste bin easier.

Materials that can be used as compost in the garden include crushed eggshells, fruit and vegetable peelings, teabags, coffee grounds, garden and pond plants, animal hair and vacuum dust that comes from woollen carpets. However, meat and fish and dairy products cannot be composted.

When it comes to recycling kitchen waste, it pays to be prepared and one way people can do this is by purchasing several stainless steel waste bins and placing different coloured bin bags in each, so family members know which rubbish to put in which receptacle.

It could be worth coordinating this with the bins provided by the local council, so that people taking out the rubbish know which bin to place the bags in.

Participating in council recycling schemes could help people tackle their waste disposal habits. Some provide roadside caddies so that rubbish from waste bins can be left outside the house for collection, while others will also hand out biodegradable bags - ideal for eco-friendly homeowners keen to have less of an impact on the environment.

Of course, one way to help tackle waste problems is to minimise the amount thrown away in the first place - and there are various steps people can take in order to do this.

Making shopping lists so that only what is needed is bought is one such measure, while keeping the fridge at cooler temperatures will mean chilled food stays fresh for longer and coming up with different recipes for leftovers such as packed lunches or soups could be helpful as well.

Tags:
• kitchen accessories
,
• kitchens