Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is an electric waste disposal unit installed in a kitchen sink. The unit is used to grind up pieces of food waste, such as apple peels, orange rinds, potato peels, and more in order for it to pass through plumbing. Garbage disposals are common in most American households.

There are two basic types of garbage disposals: Continuous and batch feed. The continuous disposals have a switch that needs to be turned on to activate them, and then must be turned off again to stop. Batch feed, on the other hand turn on when the disposal lid is engaged.

In selecting a garbage disposal, consumers have the option of several different sizes. Most American homes require at least a 1 horsepower disposal to be effective. The sizes go up from there, but larger sizes require a heavy duty enough sink for support.http://www.homedepot.com/Buying-Guide-Garbage-Disposals/h_d1/NCC-1701/h_d2/ContentView?pn=Disposers_Accessories&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053

Architect John W. Hammes invented the first garbage disposal in 1927. He started his own company, InSinkErator, and the first units were made available for sale in 1938 after 11 years of development. Many cities in the United States had regulations which prohibited disposing of food waste into their sewage systems. However, InSinkErator convinced many cities to reverse their decisions to allow garbage disposal units to be used. Garbage disposals were illegal in New York City until 1997 for fear that food waste would cause damage to the city sewer system.

Garbage disposals became a popular luxury household item during the 1970s and 1980s. They are now a very common in households throughout the United States.