Reports & Studies

This document reviews eighteen (18) of the most recent studies conducted by universities, research institutions, and government agencies across the United States and other countries that examine the efficacy of food waste disposers. It compiles and organizes the findings regarding all facets of the sewage collection, treatment, and disposal process.

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The National Association of Heating, Plumbing, and Cooling Contractors commissioned a life cycle comparison of five engineered systems for managing food waste. The five systems examined were: 1) sending food waste through a disposal to a wastewater treatment plant, 2) collecting food waste with municipal solid waste, and sending it to a landfill, 3) collecting food waste with municipal solid waste, and sending it to a community compost facility, 4) collecting food waste and sending it to a central incineration facility, and 5) sending food waste through a disposal to a septic system. The study looked at the required land, total system energy, total system materials, total emissions to the environment, and total system costs for each method. The four-year research project was concluded in January 1998.

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Provided below is a partial listing of U.S. wastewater treatment plants and their associated capabilities based on information collected from the listed facilities' websites. For the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information, please check with your local wastewater authority.

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A list of communities that convert biosolids into fertilizer and/or soil conditioner, qualifying for certification by the National Biosolids Partnership's World Class Biosolids Environmental Management System Program

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