Why You Shouldn’t Use a Food Waste Disposer with a Treatment System: An Eye-Opener for Ozzi Kleen New

In the fast-paced world we live in, convenience often wins over practicality. We rush through our daily tasks, favouring quick solutions like food waste disposers (also known as sink waste grinders) to handle our kitchen waste. But for those using an on-site waste water treatment system—whether it's a septic tank or an advanced treatment system—this choice can lead to a slew of problems. Today, let’s delve into why using a food waste disposer isn't just a bad idea; it’s a recipe for disaster for both your sewerage treatment system and the environment.

The Key Issues

1. Increased Solids Load

Let’s start with the physics of food waste. A food waste disposer finely shreds organic matter, but guess what? That shredded content isn’t magically gone. Instead, it adds an increased load of solids into your treatment system, leading to:

- Excess Sludge Buildup: This hastens the accumulation of sludge, which requires frequent pump-outs. Imagine the added maintenance costs mounting up just because you wanted a bit of convenience at the sink.

- System Overload: Many treatment systems aren’t designed to manage the high solids load that comes from food waste disposers. By using one, you’re effectively challenging the very limits of your system’s capabilities.

2. Reduced Treatment Efficiency

Next up is the efficiency of the treatment process. The goal here is to break down waste effectively, but a food waste disposer disrupts this delicate balance through:

- High Organic Loads: When you introduce a higher than normal load of organic material into the system, you disrupt microbial activity essential for breaking down waste. These microorganisms, the unsung heroes of waste management, can quickly become overwhelmed.

- Clogging Issues: Those fibrous remnants from your dinner—think vegetable peels and onion skins—don’t just vanish. They can form blockages in filters and pumps, throwing a wrench into the smooth operation of your treatment system.

3. Risk of Blockages & Mechanical Issues

What’s more frustrating? Dealing with the aftermath of mechanical issues brought on by improper waste disposal. Food waste disposers can unleash a wave of problems, including:

- Pipe Clogs: Fibrous materials can become stuck and clog pipes, leading to slow drainage or even complete blockages. Who needs a plumbing emergency, right?

- Fats and Grease: If you’ve ever seen grease solidify in your pan after cooking, you’ll know this is a concern. When fats go down the drain, they can solidify in your pipes and irrigation fields, creating expensive headaches down the line.

4. Environmental Impact

The repercussions of food waste disposers extend far beyond personal inconvenience. They can directly harm the environment:

- Nutrient Overload: An increase in food waste raises nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in the effluent. This has the potential to damage irrigation fields, producing unhealthy soil conditions.

- Algae Blooms: Elevated nutrient levels in nearby water bodies can contribute to harmful algae growth, which leads to oxygen depletion and poses risks to aquatic life.

5. Higher Maintenance & Warranty Risks

Avoiding a food waste disposer can save you from unexpected costs and complications such as:

- Frequent Pump-Outs: As mentioned, overloading the system leads to the necessity of frequent pump-outs and increased maintenance fees.

- Warranty No-Go: Some treatment systems come with warranties that explicitly void coverage if a food waste disposer is used, leaving you holding the bag on repairs.

- Blockages: As plumbing pipes were never designed to cater to disposing of food waste at some point you will likely suffer from blockages that may be costly to find, clear and repair. 

Discovering Better Alternatives

It’s clear that food waste disposers present a myriad of challenges—not just for your personal convenience but for the environment as well. Thankfully, there are numerous better alternatives to manage your kitchen scraps while keeping your wastewater treatment system healthy and functioning efficiently:

✔ Composting

Transforming your food scraps into compost is not just sustainable; it’s an enriching addition to your garden. Composting reduces landfill waste, returns nutrients to your soil, and cuts down greenhouse gases.

✔ Kitchen Scrap Bins

Using a designated kitchen scrap bin allows for proper and easy disposal without overwhelming your treatment system. Make it a habit to sort and dispose of organic waste responsibly.

✔ Feeding Scraps to Pets or Livestock

If you have pets or livestock, consider feeding them safe kitchen scraps. This not only reduces your waste but also keeps your furry (or feathery) friends happy!

Conclusion: Choose Wisely

In a world where sustainability matters more than ever, every decision counts. Avoiding food waste disposers when you have an on-site wastewater treatment system is a crucial step towards maintaining system efficiency, reducing costs, and protecting our environment. 

As part of the Ozzi Kleen family, we encourage you to embrace responsible waste management practices.