An Evaluation in Five Cities
InSinkErator Project Review
Managing Municipal Foodwaste
InSinkErator partnered with five major U.S. cities over a period of three years on an initiative designed to assess the potential impact food waste disposers can have on a municipality's management of food waste, its waste management budget, and the environment.
As part of the program, complimentary disposers were installed for the first time into 432 households across the country. Researchers measured the amount of food waste in the trash from each of those households before and after disposer installation to approximate their effectiveness in reducing the volume of food waste.
Managing Municipal Foodwaste
In short, the reduction of food waste in trash was significant.
Waste experts examining data collected during the program estimate that using disposers may reduce the amount of a household's discarded food waste, on average, by around 30%. At that rate, after a 3-year period of disposer use, almost a full year's worth of food waste could be kept out of landfills.
Watch: Philadelphia now requires disposers in new construction.
InSinkErator Consults with Governments interested in reducing organic waste, read sample code here.
Today, food waste makes up the largest percentage of municipal solid waste put into landfills.
The U.S. EPA estimates that 35 million tons are discarded each year. With disposers in about 50% of U.S. households, local governments have an opportunity to encourage disposer use and potentially reduce the volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) collected, hauled and disposed.
Comprehensive Report
This 16-page report provides an up-close look at the five-city initiative, its methodology and the results it uncovered. The report includes key data that points to the effectiveness of food waste disposers in helping reduce food waste and in potentially lowering waste management costs in participating cities.
Comprehensive Report
Program Infographic
See the five-city program and its results at a glance. Download the program infographic for use as an educational tool and in promoting the benefits and value of installing food waste disposers in homes without them.
Program Infographic
Individual City Reports
InSinkErator - City of Philadelphia Story
Film chronicles the initiative in Philadelphia, going behind the scenes to tell the story of how disposers may have helped reduce the amount food waste city residents threw into the trash.
Includes interview with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, other government officials and program participants.
View Film
*This report is based on an InSinkErator-sponsored review of 432 households over a three year period and is provided for general informational and promotional purposes. Cities considering alternative waste diversion solutions are encouraged to consult with a qualified waste professional to analyze and consider all potential options, and consider all potential options, and take potential adoption rates into consideration.
