Whether you’re chopping vegetables or sweeping up the remnants of a takeaway, there’s something to be said for the messy frustration involved in the chaotic waltz between the kitchen sink and the bin – even if you’re one of the lucky ones with a fancy, hands-free electric sensor bin lid.
Similarly, those who don’t have prewash cycles in the form of greedy Labradors or Golden Retrievers will especially know the pain of missing the bin or, worse, dumping half the contents of your food waste onto the lid.
The same goes for kitchen compost bins. Despite our very best eco-conscious intentions, those lightweight compostable bin bags break more easily than bone china, and we’re often left with sticky half-composted messes that are left outside untouched and uncollected for weeks.
There are a variety of ways to improve your food waste disposal habits, making your life easier, cleaner and the world a whole lot greener. The advent of smart kitchen composters, though often pricier than your classic compost bins, have especially improved the lives of eco warriors across the globe thanks to their mess-free and seamless disposal.
Likewise, Insinkerator waste disposal systems have been improving the homes of many since their invention all the way back in 1935, when the patent for an “in-sink” garbage disposal was issued to architect-turned-engineer John Hammes. The patent includes a grinder connected to an electric motor, which works to grind all food waste into the finest of particles which are then disposed of through the household plumbing system.
If you’re looking for an affordable means to make your kitchen more hygienic, your food waste disposal more convenient, or even a circular means of improving the soil in your garden through fresh and rich compost – we’ve rounded up a selection of the best food waste disposal systems for your home.
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Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter
As Lomi puts it, “compositing is nature’s magic trick,” and helping to seamlessly move that process along from the comfort of your own home is an equally as magical experience. If you weren’t quite sure on how composting helps the environment – other than making land more arable – let us briefly explain.
Approximately 8-10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions is relate to food waste. When food waste is taken to landfills alongside your regular household waste, it generates methane and CO2 as it breaks down. This is released into the atmosphere, contributing to rising global temperatures. According to The Energy Saving trust, if food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses, behind the US and China.
The sleek and modern Lomi Smart Waste Kitchen Composter accelerates the composting process using heat, abrasion and oxygen, turning food waste into a nutrient-rich output in as little as four hours. The only home electrical appliance with a net positive impact, the Lomi uses just 60kWh of energy per 100 cycles.
Up to 80 per cent of your household waste can be deposited into Lomi, and you can even compost Lomi-approved packaging. It never gets full, is small enough to look good in even the tiniest of kitchens and requires zero maintenance. You will quite literally have odourless, maggot and insect-free, nutrient-rich soil at the touch of the button. Best believe that window box herb garden is about to be thriving like never before.
Buy now £479.00, Healf
Insinkerator Evolution 250 Premium Food Waste Disposal, .75 HP
For a premium, ultra convenient and mess-free waste disposal system that can be fitted into your sink, look no further than the Insinkerator. As mentioned earlier, the invention was originally patented by John Hammes in the early 20th century and has since become a global industry.
Hammes’ patent expired in 1952, which meant that competitor brands were able to produce the same invention at lower price points, which inevitably resulted in a reduction in quality. As such, the Insinkerator remains the top in-sink waste disposal brand recommended by plumbers and professional contractors.
This particular model, like most, simply works by grinding up food into tiny pieces using an electric motor. What makes it premium, however, is the materials that it’s made from, and the fact that it is consequently the quietest and most powerful disposal system in the brand’s range.
The Evolution 250 features a built-in air switch accessory for easy installation and added convenience, but you can purchase an Insinkerator installation service for an additional £180 through the website.
Buy now £593.00, Insinkerator
Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste
A budget-friendly odourless food waste disposal system, the Joseph Joseph compost caddy features a ventilated design to help reduce moisture, as well as a replaceable odour filter which is fitted inside the lid for smell-free compositing. Extra compact, this compost bin measures just H16.1 x W23.5 x D19.7cm. It’s also equipped with a liner-retention lid, which will prevent you from losing your liner in the depths of your food waste.
Unlike the Lomi, the Joseph Joseph compact caddy functions as a neater replacement for the council-provided compost bins, or simply as a collection point for your own garden compost system for easy transportation. The easy-clean polypropylene body and stainless-steel carry handle add to the sleek design, while also making the caddy incredibly easy to clean with a simple wipe down. The brand recommends replacing the odour filter every three months for maximum performance.
Buy now £32.00, Amazon
Kilner 2 Litre Stainless Steel Kitchen Composter
This may be the chicest food compost bin we’ve ever come across, though it’s also the most low-tech option on this food waste disposal round-up. For a bargain price, this set includes one Kilner bucket and two carbon filters. The filter itself is designed to sit underneath the lid and absorb the odours that are released as food waste breaks down.
Store this handy bucket-style disposal bin under the sink or on your kitchen counter – either way, you’re in for an odour-free and stylish food waste disposal journey. Made from durable stainless steel, it’s wonderfully easy to clean and transport to the compost heap when full.
Buy now £20.49, Amazon
WasteMaid Elite 1880 5/8 HP Kitchen Sink Food Waste Disposal Unit + Air Switch
If you’re feeling adventurous enough to try out a waste disposal model that isn’t quite the Insinkerator, but is far cheaper, try the WasteMaid Elite. This model features stainless steel grind components in keeping with the standard for waste disposal units, as well as antimicrobial protection. This unit is also suitable for installation in homes which have septic tanks holing 750 gallons or more.
Buy now £199.99, B&Q
