The problem with food waste
Each year in New Zealand, tonnes of food waste is trucked to landfill. Once there, it decomposes and produces methane — a greenhouse gas at least 21 times more potent than CO2. The further food waste travels from the kitchen, the more impact it has.
Why composting isn't always the answer
Composting is a valuable approach to food waste, but it isn’t always practical. Busy households, apartments without garden access, or kitchens producing more waste than a compost bin can take — the realities of modern life often get in the way of good intentions.
A food waste disposer can be part of the food waste solution
A food waste disposer offers a simple, convenient alternative to composting or putting food scraps in the rubbish bin. The disposer i
finely grinds food waste and sends it through the wastewater system, where treatment plants can use anaerobic digestion to
process the organic material alongside other wastewater.
This process can turn food waste into valuable resources, including:
• Biogas — captured and converted into renewable energy, helping to power the wastewater treatment plant.
• Biosolids — nutrient-rich material that can be beneficially reused as fertiliser or soil conditioner.
It’s another practical way to manage everyday food waste — less food waste in the bin, less mess in the kitchen, and the potential to turn waste into a useful resource.
A quieter contribution
Putting food waste into the wastewater system instead of landfill is one of the simplest changes a kitchen can make. The disposer does the work invisibly — every meal, every day, with no extra effort.
What NOT to Compost
Some materials, like onion scraps, citrus peels, eggshells, and stale bread, are best added to your compost in small amounts. However, the following items should never find their way into your compost bin under any circumstances.
1. Meat and Fish Scraps
The smell of old seafood or rotting meat isn’t just unpleasant for you; it also attracts pests like rats, flies, and even neighbourhood pets. In order to avoid any issues, you should never put meat, fish, or bones in your compost pile. Even with a closed compost bin, these strong scents can still draw in unwanted guests.
2. Dairy, Fats, and Oils
Common dairy items like cheese, butter, milk, sour cream, and yoghurt, along with fats and oils, should also be kept out of your compost bin because they can attract pests. The same goes for processed foods that are high in dairy or fat.