kitchen sink garbage disposal .....

[rhett7660]

KnightWRX can be smug, blunt, and occasionally rude... but that doesn't make his point necessarily wrong.

The USA, generally, is behind the rest of the modern world in this regard. There may be reasons for it, but that's just the way it is.

Size of the community doesn't matter. I don't know every small community in Canada, but of the several I know well they each have community volunteer organized blue box recycling (plastics, glass, paper, etc) and one has a community organized kitchen waste composting facility. People bring what they have, and take what they need.

If you have a back yard fence 30' away, you have room to compost vegetable matter from the kitchen. Even if all you do is spread it out on the lawn, you are diverting waste from somewhere it doesn't need to go.

If you are in a small community, without a municipal trash service, then chances are you are paying by the bin or kilo to a private operator (that's what we do, at least). Why would you not divert as much waste as possible by composting it?

These things take a commitment from the community. Either to go through the transition as the municipality changes over, or to participate in the volunteer run organization. It's actually amazing simple, once you get into the habit. In my community (of several thousands) we don't have a utility to pick up trash, just a private operator. You can pay them to pick up from your driveway, or you can run the bins down to them. We choose the latter option. You can do some recycling there, or you can run your recyclables to the recycle depot.

You can sort your recyclables there, or you can sort 'em at home (we prefer the latter option) It's a chance to stop and chat at the depot (open 6 days a week). The recycle depot is entirely volunteer run, owned, and managed, plus they have the additional cost challenge of having to move the stuff off of an island.

Kitchen composting is mostly down at home. Restaurant frying oil is picked up by a couple of people who turn it into bio-diesel. The restaurant saves money by not having to pay to dispose of it, the greenies make some money selling it to old-hippies who use it to fuel their cars.

All of this is community based. All because we, as a community, feel that we can do more to more environmentally sound. We can do it at several thousand souls, and there are much smaller communities (in the hundred or so souls) nearby that much the same.

Its a commitment thing, not a size thing.

Plus... it saves taxes. That's the bit that perplexes me. As an outsider looking in, I see great outbursts of passionate rhetoric in the USA about the need to lower taxes. But then you seem to flush all of your kitchen waste into multimillion dollar facilities that need to clean up the water again to make it drinkable.... so wasteful on two fronts. And you pay a utility to dispose of materials that could otherwise be used again. Burying them or burning them only means that you have to deal with downwind or downstream costs as well....

So, KnigthWRX may be a smug, rude, and blunt (are you from Quebec, Knight? ) but he is not entirely wrong. The USA is behind the times in this area. So don't shoot the messenger.

Your point is taken and so is KnightWRX's point, I dont' think this was really ever the question, it was the comments and the over all tone of the post that is what got everyone's hair up! However if one is going to be foul about it then yes I think it is accpetable to shoot the messenger!

 

[QuarterSwede]

I don't know it all, but I know the US is quite retarded as far as environmental friendliness goes.

...

Call me stuck up all you want, it doesn't change the fact that Tomorrow displayed gross ignorance in his posts in this thread.

I was referring to your attitude in your posts in general, not necessarily this thread. I agree that the US is behind in regards to recycling. I even explained a reason why. All you're doing is saying we're backwards. Lot of help there.

Do you? I do when I can and yes, I do know there is an extra charge but if done right there can be returns as well (like free compost). I try to do what I can right now, but I live in an apartment complex and I am at the mercy of my landlords. We should be more proactive in this country but all we care about is what is easiest (stuff it all in one can and throw it out the door). I was never a greenie until I lived in Germany and I found how easy it can be.

I used to recycle when my trash company didn't charge extra for it. Then they decided to charge for it even though, and this is what burns me, they make money on it. Screw that, I already pay them too much to pick up my garbage. If I didn't have an HOA that required trash pickup I'd drop them and take my own trash & recycling to the landfill. The sad thing is, that when we were recycling I found most of our garbage was recyclables with very little being refuse. Maybe that should be a challenge to me to start recycling and take it myself. Of course, then I'd be paying for the company to pickup my trash once a month at most which is an even worse deal.

 

[snberk103]

Your point is taken and so is KnightWRX's point, I dont' think this was really ever the question, it was the comments and the over all tone of the post that is what got everyone's hair up! However if one is going to be foul about it then yes I think it is accpetable to shoot the messenger!

Fair enough. How about them Canucks, eh?

'Cause every good debate needs to end up talking about the hockey.

ps.... you might just remind Knight that the Canadiens have not advanced. But don't tell them I told you to. ssshhhhh......

 

[Tomorrow]

The USA, generally, is behind the rest of the modern world in this regard. There may be reasons for it, but that's just the way it is.

And yet, I've lived in other communities (including right here in north Texas) that do have recycling programs. There just isn't one where I live now. We must be less civilized over here.

If you have a back yard fence 30' away, you have room to compost vegetable matter from the kitchen.

It was never an issue of space, it was an issue of proximity. I don't want rotting meat/vegetation near my house.

Even if all you do is spread it out on the lawn, you are diverting waste from somewhere it doesn't need to go.

It doesn't need to go in my yard.

Here's the thing - if it goes down the drain, it ends up at the water treatment facility.

If I put it in my yard (blegch!), it goes into - yes, the ground water supply!

One stinks up the neighborhood much less than the other - guess which one I'm gonna choose?

If you are in a small community, without a municipal trash service, then chances are you are paying by the bin or kilo to a private operator (that's what we do, at least).

Wrong - flat monthly fee, regardless of volume. Yes, even if it's more than our gondola can hold.

 

[rhett7660]

Fair enough. How about them Canucks, eh?

'Cause every good debate needs to end up talking about the hockey.

ps.... you might just remind Knight that the Canadiens have not advanced. But don't tell them I told you to. ssshhhhh......

Or about that wonderful movie known as Strange Brew....... and it has hockey in it too!!!!! Love that movie. Eh!

 

[snberk103]

And yet, I've lived in other communities (including right here in north Texas) that do have recycling programs. There just isn't one where I live now. We must be less civilized over here.

OK, that is a straight line I'll ignore.... but it was tempting....

It was never an issue of space, it was an issue of proximity. I don't want rotting meat/vegetation near my house.

Meat and oils are not appropriate for a simple backyard composter, but fruit, vegetable, tea bags, coffee grounds, paper towels that aren't used for meat cleanup, etc etc are entirely suitable for backyards. And they don't smell. And they are terrific for your lawn.

It doesn't need to go in my yard.

Here's the thing - if it goes down the drain, it ends up at the water treatment facility.

If I put it in my yard (blegch!), it goes into - yes, the ground water supply!

And it doesn't matter whether it gets into your water table because it's just the same stuff that nature deals with on global scale anyway. Even less so, 'cause there's no poop in your compost. Where do you think deer/cow/raccoon/bird poop goes? Do you use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn?

One stinks up the neighborhood much less than the other - guess which one I'm gonna choose?

Doesn't stink at all. Makes your lawn greener. Win Win.

Wrong - flat monthly fee, regardless of volume. Yes, even if it's more than our gondola can hold.

And that's part of the problem. Most major Canadian cities have gone to a 1 or 2 bin per week limit, with extra fees for more collected. It's amazing how much more people recycled and composted when the limits were imposed. And there was only a little bit more litter deposited "elsewhere", and then for a limited time. It seems to have gone back to "normal" littering levels. At least in Vancouver.

So, "civilized" is such a - touchy - word. How about modern? "With the times?" "Aware?" "Responsible?"

And again... why are you paying more taxes/fees than you have to? A flat fee means you are subsidizing somebody else's garbage making, unless you are in the top tier of garbage creation yourself. Tell your community council that you want limits on the garbage you can leave out, and watch your taxes/fees drop.

Or about that wonderful movie known as Strange Brew....... and it has hockey in it too!!!!! Love that movie. Eh!

A classic. Gotta go rent it, and watch it again. Thanks, eh?

 

[KnightWRX]

All you're doing is saying we're backwards in regards to trash disposal based on Tomorrow's ignorant comments about composting.

Fixed that there for you. People read waaaaaaay too much into my posts. It's as if some people don't like the truth. Feel free not to associate yourself with Tomorrow if you feel you know the enviro-friendly options and make sure to use them. I didn't even know Tomorrow was from the US, but knowing so explains a lot, as far as it relates to environmental knowledge.

And that's part of the problem. Most major Canadian cities have gone to a 1 or 2 bin per week limit, with extra fees for more collected. It's amazing how much more people recycled and composted when the limits were imposed. And there was only a little bit more litter deposited "elsewhere", and then for a limited time. It seems to have gone back to "normal" littering levels. At least in Vancouver.

We have 37 picks-up/year, or once every 2 weeks in winter and once a week in summer. We have to use 240L or 320L bins for trash. Mine (a 240L) gets about 1/4 full after a week. If its more than half full after 2 weeks, it's because I really went at it when household cleaning. The recycling bin is 320L and is always full each 2 weeks when pick-up day rolls around.

It seems it's the same with all my neighbors. There's just a lot of recycling going on. For composting, we have to bring it to the depot in this town, but my last home, we had pick-up as long as it was in orange bags (to differentiate from trash).

So, "civilized" is such a - touchy - word. How about modern? "With the times?" "Aware?" "Responsible?"

Tomorrow doesn't compromise for anyone, don't feel you need to compromise for him.

 

[MacNut]

I still want to know what a Bio bin is, the only places I ever see them are in hospitals.

So unless all of you people have used syringes or bloody sheets what do you need them for.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Fixed that there for you. People read waaaaaaay too much into my posts.

I didn't read into your post. That's exactly what I meant. Thanks for extra clarifying though. We needed that.

I still want to know what a Bio bin is, the only places I ever see them are in hospitals.

So unless all of you people have used syringes or bloody sheets what do you need them for.

Diapers (human waste), used bandaids, used syringes (people with bad cases of diabetes and other illnesses requiring daily injections)? Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

 

[neiltc13]

I don't understand - where does the waste go when it goes into the disposal? Does it go down the drain pipe and get washed away with the rest of the water from the sink or what?

 

[MacNut]

I don't understand - where does the waste go when it goes into the disposal? Does it go down the drain pipe and get washed away with the rest of the water from the sink or what?

Yes, is emulsifies the food and it flows down the drain.

 

[neiltc13]

Yes, is emulsifies the food and it flows down the drain.

Surely this leads to many more blocked drains?

 

[MacNut]

Surely this leads to many more blocked drains?

Not really, the water flow cleans it out. You have to have the water running when you dispose.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/garbage-disposal.htm

 

[snberk103]

I still want to know what a Bio bin is, the only places I ever see them are in hospitals.

....

I'm probably using the wrong term. It was a long time ago when I first them in Ontario. It's bin the city provides for all the kitchen waste. So, spoiled food, scraps off the plates, vegetable and fruit peels, etc etc. If it was biological (as opposed to plastic or metal) and in the kitchen, then it would go into the green bin. I'm sure they have another word for it. I've been living the rural life long enough (where we do our own composting) that I've forgotten what the urban folk call it.

I don't understand - where does the waste go when it goes into the disposal? Does it go down the drain pipe and get washed away with the rest of the water from the sink or what?

It goes down the pipe, and into the sewer system, and to the sewage treatment plant where the city then pays a great deal of money to take it back out of the water again.

...

Originally Posted by snberk103
So, "civilized" is such a - touchy - word. How about modern? "With the times?" "Aware?" "Responsible?"

Tomorrow doesn't compromise for anyone, don't feel you need to compromise for him.

You may call it 'compromising'... I call it [tongue in cheek] trying to remain polite . [/tongue]

 

[MacNut]

I'm probably using the wrong term. It was a long time ago when I first them in Ontario. It's bin the city provides for all the kitchen waste. So, spoiled food, scraps off the plates, vegetable and fruit peels, etc etc. If it was biological (as opposed to plastic or metal) and in the kitchen, then it would go into the green bin. I'm sure they have another word for it. I've been living the rural life long enough (where we do our own composting) that I've forgotten what the urban folk call it.

That must smell horrible having rotting food sitting in a bin all week. Why not just let it hit the dump, it will all degrade on its own. The reason we recycle plastics is because it wont breakdown.

 

[KnightWRX]

That must smell horrible having rotting food sitting in a bin all week.

Doesn't smell worse in a composting bin you empty every week than in a trash can you empty every week.

 

[MacNut]

Doesn't smell worse in a composting bin you empty every week than in a trash can you empty every week.

We don't just throw garbage into a bin, you bag it first.

 

[wpotere]

That must smell horrible having rotting food sitting in a bin all week. Why not just let it hit the dump, it will all degrade on its own. The reason we recycle plastics is because it wont breakdown.

The bin can get stinky and does, but with the lid closed you could walk right by it and never know. When you open it there is a smell, but you take the extra 10 min to clean it out from time to time and generally it is no problem.

Like I said, most Americans don't like to recycle because it is inconvenient. And by bagging it, you are guaranteeing that it will sit in a landfill for many years before it finally breaks down.

 

[flopticalcube]

We don't just throw garbage into a bin, you bag it first.

Same with composting. Everything is placed in compostable bags first. Doesn't stop the raccoons, however. Those little buggers have figured out how to open the latches and get into the bins.

 

[MacNut]

The bin can get stinky and does, but with the lid closed you could walk right by it and never know. When you open it there is a smell, but you take the extra 10 min to clean it out from time to time and generally it is no problem.

Like I said, most Americans don't like to recycle because it is inconvenient. And by bagging it, you are guaranteeing that it will sit in a landfill for many years before it finally breaks down.

We recycle just not food.

 

[lbro]

KnightWRX is a know it all stuck up Quebecer. You get used to it ... or block him

Fixed

 

[snberk103]

That must smell horrible having rotting food sitting in a bin all week. Why not just let it hit the dump, it will all degrade on its own. The reason we recycle plastics is because it wont breakdown.

As others have said, it's in a bag. And no, it didn't stink any worse in the compost bin as the garbage did when it was used for kitchen waste.

The problem with putting kitchen waste in the dump is that it takes up valuable space. I don't know if you had noticed, but land for dumps is getting expensive .... Ok, maybe not in the USA at the moment with it's current financial issues ... but in general, dumps take up land that can be used for, you know, productive uses. Landfills all over the continent are reaching capacity, and cities are having to spend more to truck the stuff further to dispose of it. Think about that . Cities are spending money to buy land, and to pay trucks to get rid of garbage. We are spending tons of $$ to move something that is, by definition worthless, somewhere else. Why wouldn't you instead take some of that "worthless" stuff, and turn it into something that a) best case scenario, you can sell for a profit, or b) at least get rid of at zero cost.

Americans are supposed to be the master of capitalist world. Why have the socialist countries of Europe (and Canada and, for gawd's sake - Cuba!!!) figured out how to make money off of some of the garbage stream and the Yankees haven't ? It boggles the mind. That plus the the several bottles of wine consumed with my wife and 4 good friends as we lament how our recent federal election is going to make us more like (sssshhhh!!) Americans..... [shudder]....

ooooh, I'm gonna catch ***** for that one......

 

[wpotere]

We recycle just not food.

Fair enough, I was making a generalization. As others have said, there are baggies that you can get. When I lived in Germany we had a container that sat in the kitched with a little baggie in it and a charchoal filter lid. We dumped our food into it and took the little baggie out every day. No stink, no fuss... Then, each spring I could go get free strawberries (grown by the city which you picked yourself) and compost for the garden.

 

[KnightWRX]

We don't just throw garbage into a bin, you bag it first.

Please. Stop. You're not helping the cause for other Americans. Why do you guys from the US insist on showing your ignorance on this topic and throwing out your food residue into the water stream ?

As has been pointed out : Compostable bags. You put them in the compost bin. You empty it once a week. Same as the trash can. It doesn't smell worse at all. Why do you keep replying to my posts in a witty matter when all you end up doing is digging yourself deeper into your hole ?

And people wonder why sometimes I'm so direct. If you try the indirect "polite" approach, you just get pissed all over by the American know-it-alls (Disclaimer for the non-context sensitive folk : Not all Americans are know-it-alls, just those who try their best to argue about stuff they obviously have no clue about, get proven wrong at every turn and then call you a know-it-all and a jerk based on your citizenship of a far more ecology-minded and knowledgeable country).

 

[Surely]

^^^^It's not that we wonder why you are so direct. We don't call it that.



It's a good thing that In-Sinkerators are banned in Canada! Oh wait, they're not.

I had one in every house I lived in while growing up.....wait for it...... in Canada. So did pretty much everyone else that I knew. And they still have them.