The ban on garbage disposals is not going to solve anything because it only applies to NEW disposals, which means new construction or replacements. It’ll take years (and I’m meaning 20 or so) before this ban accomplishes anything.

Further, the Council points to garbage disposals as the cause of GREASE spills, not a problem with solid matter in the sewer system. Speaking of which, how long will it be before we aren’t allowed to introduce any “solid matter” into the sewer system – or will it be allowed on an even/odd day basis?

DO…
• First turn on a moderate to strong flow of cold water and then turn on the disposer. Continue running cold water for 15 seconds after grinding is completed to flush the drain line.
• Grind hard materials such as small bones, fruit pits, and ice. A scouring action is created by the particles inside the grind chamber.
• Grind peelings from citrus fruits to freshen up drain smells.
• Use a disposer cleaner, degreaser, or deodorizer as necessary to relieve objectionable odors caused by grease build-up.

DON’T…
• Don’t pour grease or fat down your disposer or any drain. It can build up in pipes and cause drain blockages. Put grease in a jar or can and dispose in the trash.
• Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. It is OK to drain hot water into the disposer between grinding periods.
• Don’t fill disposer with a lot of vegetable peels all at once. Instead, turn the water and disposer on first and then feed the peels in gradually.
• Don’t grind extremely fibrous materials like corn husks, artichokes, etc., to avoid possible drain blockage.
• Don’t turn off disposer until grinding is completed and only sound of motor and water is heard.
• Don’t be alarmed if a brown discoloration appears on the face of the grinding disc. This is normal. It is surface discoloration only and will not affect the life or performance of the disposer.

—

The reason for the Raleigh ban is grease accumulation in the pipes. The main culprits are from food fats and the narry-mentioned liquid clotheswashing detergents, not fresh vegetable trimmings.

The problem is the ban does not prevent one from pouring bacon and hamburger greases down the drain or from emptying their deep fryer down the drain. It also doesn’t prevent the use of Tide liquid, for example.

Be careful composting! Incorrect methods will attract snakes, raccoons, rats, and bees to your property.

Perhaps Raleigh can create a poster campaign to train disposal users, which is similar to the poster campaign for locking your car. Perhaps it can say
“Toss the scraps”
“Rinse the plate”
“Run the disposer”

Just a thought…

“Violators will be issued a notice of violation and a civil penalty assessment of up to $25,000 per day, and possibly incur a temporary or permanent interruption of water and sewer services.”

I have to believe that’s a typo? $25,000/day would put a lot of folks in solid debt right quick…

From greenerchoices.org: “Waste from garbage disposers can overburden old municipal sewage systems. Garbage disposers can double the volume of nonliquid material that goes down the drain, displacing food waste from land to water. Each person in the U.S. discards about 300 pounds of food per year. Many sewer systems around the country are more than 100 years old and operating beyond their design capacity–resulting in more than 40,000 overflows of sewage treatment systems each year. When these old systems fail, they can release raw sewage containing high levels of nitrogen, chemical contaminants, and microbial pathogens into local waterways–causing harm to ecosystems, animals and humans.”
Also “A disposer uses more water. While garbage disposers are not going to have a large impact on your household’s electricity use, they do require running water to move the waste down the drain—about 700 gallons per year.”

I grew up learning that you throw food scraps in the trash (or nowadays…compost it). Garbage disposers were primarily for when you rinsed off little bits of food still stuck to the dishes, and wanted to make sure it all got down through.
If everyone still used their disposers in that manner, then this issue probably would have never come up. But it’s amazing the number of people who use it as a trash receptacle and throw potato peelings, vegetable scraps and Lord knows what else down there!
Basically, some bad apples have ruined it for everyone else. I can’t really blame the City Council. Given all these facts, I would have voted the same way.

If we need to upgrade the sewer system, I’d rather the city issue bonds and do it than impose new regulations that make everybody’s lives a little bit worse.

And I actually disagree about garbage pickup too. Twice a week garbage pickup seems too frequent. Do most places have twice a week? I’m not sure since I’ve lived here all my life. I also think the addition of more items to recycling is a huge step forward.

However, something needs to be done. I’m not 100% sold that this is the answer but I do know that I have a disposal that I don’t use. The most it ever sees is 1/2 a lime or lemon to freshen it up.

If your scraps smell, freeze them until garabage day then throw them out.

I’m with Raleighbob. Time to start composting again.

I predict an surge in black market garbage disposal installations. Working with “local plumbers and contractors” won’t accomplish anything. When you buy a garbage disposal, they come with instructions. This is completely unenforceable.

I’m still incensed. This is a ridiculous, draconian, wrong-headed law. I doubt it will fix any of the problems with Raleigh’s sewers.

Don’t give them any ideas!

This is absolutely absurd. Hell, wouldn’t surprise me if processed fibrous vegetable matter didn’t help scrub out some of the grease from the sewer lines. In no way does this do anything to stop their chief complaint.

It always amazes me how LITTLE research is actually required before the city council makes decisions… any business that acted in that matter would be out of business in no time.