Things to Avoid Putting in Your Garbage Disposal

Using your garbage disposal for the wrong things may be damaging to your septic tank! Putting spoiled or moldy food down your garbage disposal may seem like quick and easy way to get of rid of old leftovers, but doing so excessively may disrupt the microbial ecosystem that's so crucial to the proper function of your septic tank. By avoiding the most damaging categories of food items, you can preserve and elongate the life of your septic system. These categories include:   

Hard, Woody Food Items

This category includes items like:

  • Peanuts, walnuts, and other hard seeds and nuts
  • Peach or plum pits
  • Popsicle or corndog sticks and other food skewers
Hard, woody food items oftentimes cannot be broken down enough and can lead to clogged drains and grease traps. Any hard and woody waste should be placed in the garbage. 

Sticky or Sludgy Substances

Sticky and sludgy substances like coffee grounds, grease, oil, fat, and some syrups can coat the walls of the pipework to your septic system and trap other small particles. This can build up over time and completely clog your pipes, causing sinks and toilets to backup and overflow. These items, too, should be throw away instead of being put down the drain. 

Foods that Become Hard and Brittle When Dry

The most common foods in this category include pasta and rice, but many other cooked grains are the same way. These items--similar to the hard and woody food items above--often cannot be broken down by the garbage disposal and end up blocking pipes and causing more headache than they are worth. They are also less likely to be broken down by the bacteria in your septic tank, which can also adversely affect the septic system. 

Foods that Don't Compose Well

This group includes egg shells and potato peels; these foods take longer than average for bacteria to break down, and putting these down the garbage disposal will lead to them taking longer than other substances in to break down in your septic tank, which, again, can disrupt the microbial ecosystem. Avoid these problems (and many others!) by placing the majority of your leftovers and food waste in the garbage rather than down the garbage disposal. 

You can extend the life of your septic system by avoiding putting these items in your garbage disposal. With conscientious care, your septic system can last up to 50 years with regular pumping and maintenance. By keeping these four categories in mind, you can save yourself the added hassle of a damaged septic system. 

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