Are you considering buying a garbage compactor for your home? It's true that sales of kitchen trash compactors have declined over the years, but that doesn't mean they don't have their advantages. In this article, we'll discuss the pros and cons of using a garbage compactor, and how to choose the right one for your needs. Garbage compactors are practical appliances that reduce the volume of household waste by up to 75 percent. This means fewer trips to the sidewalk or to the can with garbage bags, and less space taken up by regular bagged trash.
However, garbage compactors require special bags, which may mean that you'll have to look for the right ones when you buy. Under-counter trash compactors are usually installed between kitchen cabinets, just like an automatic dishwasher. In 1991, John Bauer improved this design, creating two compartments for recyclable waste and non-recyclable waste. This allows you to separate your waste and make it easier to recycle.
Today, garbage compactors use even better technology that allows them to handle dry and wet waste, control odors and store more. This means that you'll need far fewer traditional trash bags and you may be able to use fewer trash cans on the sidewalk if you have to bring your own can to pick it up on the sidewalk. But are garbage compactors worth it? Unless the overall volume is a big problem for you, or you intend to empty it every day, it may not be worth it. If you're limited to a trash can of a certain size or have to pay with the can to remove the trash or take it to the landfill yourself, then a compactor could make sense as long as you don't have problems with broken garbage bags due to excess weight.
When perishable items are thrown in the trash and compacted, they can stay there for days or even weeks before the trash is taken out. This means that food cannot be left in the sink due to the septic system, so it is wrapped well and tucked under the trash on top, given to dogs, or wrapped and put in the outdoor trash can. If you're thinking about buying a garbage compactor and aren't sure what the best option is, call your local appliance repair shop. True to their name, convertible garbage compactors can be installed as standalone units or under the counter.
This is an additional expense, and while you won't use as many of these bags as you would without a garbage compactor, they generally cost more than a standard garbage bag. I just installed one in my kitchen and I love it! I like not having to take out the trash every day. In fact, I ran out of bags last week and I kept compacting them until the second week and there's still room there (barely). Thankfully, Garbage Day is Thursday. LOL After 14 years of throwing away trash, my kids like to keep the trash compacted now. I buy my compactor bags at big box stores.
The only times mine break is when someone places something sharp inside the compactor, such as a broken hanger, and when the ram is compacted, the hanger discards the side of the plastic. But other than that, the bags are strong. I've never hit rock bottom either. So if you're looking for an efficient way to reduce your household waste without having to take out your trash every day, then a garbage compactor may be worth considering. Just make sure you do your research before buying one so that you get one that fits your needs.
