Why aren't waste disposal units widely used in homes in the UK?

Question

They are very convenient, and widely used in the US so why are they not at least put nto newly built homes?

Where else are they popular maybe Australia??

Answer 1

maybe its costly? i'm not too sure....

Answer 2

1- Use of waste disposal units are NOT illegal in the UK. In fact, residents are encouraged to install them in many communities w/ cash rebates.

        >> Residents urged to fit waste disposer... (http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/317433...

#2- A sewer system that can handle regular residential waste can certainly handle disposal waste.

#3- Disposals don't "waste" water and for households that either can't or won't compost, waste disposals are far more environmentally friendly than throwing food in the landfill.

        >>  From InSinkErator (http://www.insinkerator.com/environmenta...

        By putting an InSinkErator disposer in your kitchen, you're doing your part to help reduce a growing problem. That's because when food waste is dumped in landfills, bacteria and other harmful organisms can seep into the ground and contaminate our water.

        With an InSinkErator disposer, food waste is ground into fine particles and safely flushed into your sewage system. Decades of scientific studies have shown this to be a sound ecological alternative. At wastewater treatment facilities, the food waste can be converted into useful energy, or recycled into agricultural fertilizer.



Cost may be an issue, but the residential units I've seen online cost between £45 -£110... kinda reasonable IMO.

I believe the reason you don't find a ton of waste disposals in the UK is more of a cultural thing... homeowners in the UK don't seem nearly as frenzied about upgrading their homes w/ the latest/greatest as homeowners in the States often are, often to the State's homeowners detriment. :-(

Add to this the fact that "new" construction is sort've limited given the land available in the UK, and there's probably a market to be tapped, if you can get folks excited about a "dirty" appliance.

TX Griff

  

Answer 3

Perhaps they've not really had much publicity as yet, but maybe they will do soon!

Answer 4

They're very much frowned upon by nearly all Australian authorities as massive water wasters and sources of waste water pollution. They are illegal in some areas.

Answer 5

this has a lot to do with the pre-fitted drainage system, some areas would require the whole sewage system re-installed to acompany the excess waste.

Answer 6

I'm very pleased to say that Brits are far more conservative than yanks. We've managed with what we've got in our sinks for all this time, thankfully most of us still don't have to have every power consuming gadget available, that's one reason :-)  The biggest reason as far as I'm concerned is, everyone I know that has had one has had problems with it before too long, just another expense, something else to go wrong, not worth the hassle.

Answer 7

because its illegal to put food stuffs down the sewers in britain you face a hefty fine

Answer 8

Our sewerage systems and pipes are so ancient, that I doubt they would cope. Not only that, but it might give the water companies a good excuse for putting up the prices again. We can do without that at the moment. The average water bill in the UK is between £300 and £400 per year. Another reason is, that the local councils are really into composting and get loads of free compostible materials in the bin collection, which they can then sell off at a profit. If it is mixed raw and cooked food, it cant be used as compost.  

Answer 9

They are a waste of water and a waste of organic matter which would be better to be composted and put on your garden!

Convenient isn't always better IMO!