Ever get stuck wondering whether you should put something down your garbage disposal? Is it safe, or should you throw it out? Or better yet, can you compost it and create nutrient-rich soil? That’s what our contestants on “Garbage Disposal or Compost?” are facing today.
Meat Bones
Our contestants started with a tricky one. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey says not to put bones and skin down a disposal, while landscape contractor Jenn Nawada says bones can be put in compost, but she prefers not to.
Fruit Peels
Richard says to avoid stringy foods like banana peels or celery, as they can get wrapped around the disposal blade and shaft. Luckily, Jenn says they’re excellent additions to compost piles.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are fine for compost piles, even still in the paper filter. But they’re not great down your drain, as they can make it past the disposal and clump up again in the drain pipes. Compost is your best bet.
Ice Cubes
There’s an old wives’ tale about ice sharpening disposal blades, which is probably not true. But are they okay to put in a disposal? In most cases, yes. They won’t do much in a compost pile, though.
Pistachio Shells
Pistachio shells are very cut-and-dry. Don’t put them down your garbage disposal, but definitely put them in your compost pile. They’ll break down well in the compost pile, but the shells will make a mess of the disposal.
Eggshells
Another tricky one. As a rule, put them in your compost pile as they add necessary nutrients like calcium to the compost. But your garbage disposal can certainly handle a few eggshells now and then.
Lemons
Both! Lemons are great in the compost pile as they’ll break down and add nutrients. But they’re also ideal for a garbage disposal, as slicing and grinding them up in the chamber can actually freshen it, helping it smell better.
