Compost vs. Disposal vs. Landfill

I have often wondered if using the disposal was an environmentally responsible option, considering that running a disposal uses energy and water. So could this be an eco-friendly alternative?

As luck would would have it, I bumped into the Director of Sustainability for a nearby prep school, who responded with a yes and no. Yes, if composting is not an option and sending your waste to the trash is the only alternative and no, as energy is wasted, water is wasted and the matter must be chemically treated in a sewer treatment plant instead of naturally biodegrading chemically-free in a compost heap.

It was agreed that the absolute worst thing you can do is send organic waste off to a landfill.  When organic matter is packed into landfills, the natural decomposition process is hindered due to insufficient exposure to microorganisms, oxygen or sunlight.  This significantly slows the process, but more alarmingly, creates copious amounts of green house gases as instead of off-gassing carbon dioxide, methane is emitted.  So nature’s pollution free recycling process becomes a threat to our environment.

So the take home tip here–compost if you can, use the disposal if you must, and NEVER put organic waste in the trash.  A related tip from my father-in-law, NEVER put eggshells down your disposal as they are so light that they tend to stick to your pipes and is the main cause of clogged pipes!!