When you think about essential kitchen appliances you think fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, espresso machine. Well the last one is for me at least. What about trash compactors?
This isn't something that you typically find in a residential kitchen but it would help to decrease the volume of garbage you throw out. Broan says that you can compress 14 average garbage bags into one compactor size bag. While you will still have to make composting and recycling part or your routine to decrease the amount of waste you produce, with a compactor, that which is going out your door will be taking up less space.
Doesn't the garbage truck compact your trash when it picks up anyway?
view Very Miao's profile
It seems like a dated appliance (even a new one) and would give you a false sense that you are doing you part to reduce waste/garbage. All you are doing is squishing the air out. Matter is matter and doesn't the garbage company compress it before tossing it into a landfill?
view gpshd's profile
Actually, it gets compacted at the landfill. The only reason the trucks have a compactor is so that they can store most trash without having to dump their load. At most landfills, they use a crawler with a sheeps-foot roller to reach a density of about 1,200 lbs per cubit yard (around 45 lbs per cubit foot). I tried looking on Broan's site to see how dense their compactor compacts, but I didn't see. If anyone has info on this, feel free to share.
view JohnnySlimane's profile
If you get a composter instead, you can actually reduce the amount of garbage going into the landfill, rather than just giving yrself the illusion that you're reducing it.
view CJL's profile
Trash compactors are great in towns where garbage pickup is funded by town-specific trash bag purchase. (We do compost and recycle quite a bit at my house)
view laura b's profile
I've had a trash compactor for over 21 years. It is probably my second favorite appliance (dishwasher comes first). Taking trash out only once a week is a big plus. Also, a compactor can't be tipped over like a waste basket. With five cats, that's a plus for me. My brother said it was stupid to spend the money. But in checking his new kitchen plans, there IS a compactor. Saves time, space, and clean-up.
view williamsweyr's profile