Raleigh’s Water Degradation
I have to revive the garbage disposal controversy, as spawned a year and a half ago when Raleigh, NC government banned garbage disposals in homes (and quickly caved under scrutiny from lazy, self-absorbed, financially-influential people who worship their disposals).
A while back, I saw this great article by Raleigh Eco News regarding how “the quality of Falls Lake — Raleigh’s main water supply — is suffering while officials with the power to do something are failing to act”.
Reading it reminded me how ill I am that Raleigh renegged on their garbage disposal ban.
Why do I feel they should be banned? Well, I do not feel like these sorts of kitchen scraps belong washed down our drain. Besides killing your plumbing (yes, most of the people I know have to get their disposal repaired or unclogged, which we have never done since we toss our scraps), composting is the optimal option.
Despite Insinkerator’s claims of using the disposal being “green”, I have interesting consensus that it is the worst, most financially costly, most energy and environmentally-inefficient choice. You pay the plumber, we all pay in higher taxes to come as the burden grows, and the natural waterways pay.
Plus, I see all the time that people who rely on their garbage disposal (usually absent-mindedly even) also are regulars at pouring grease and cooking juices down their drain, which is actually illegal in many states because of pollution. Don’t believe that many people feel that way? Just look at this one forum and how people tug-of-war over being able to.
Next time you have potatoes and squash to peel, grease to empty, and plates to scrape off, head to your compost bin or trash bag.
Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue
