Americans want to live “greener”Many people tackle the kitchen first. After all, it seems simple enough to separate the recyclables. Proper waste disposal is more complex than just tossing cans into a blue container.

How can you get rid of leftover table scraps? Do you throw away food scraps? What about the compost pile? Oder down the kitchen sink

Tossing food waste in the trash will cause it to be hauled to a dump. Transporting food to landfills produces diesel fumes, and emission. Methane, which is a greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere as food decays in landfills.

Although composting is an option, it may not be practical for those who live in high-rises or in colder areas. Experts advise against composting meat and dairy.

Independent studies have shown that a garbage disposal is an environmentally friendly option. A disposer is used in over half of American kitchens. They cost less than 50c per year to run and consume less than 1% of household water. Modern technology has made it possible to dispose of virtually all types of food waste, such as the InSinkErator Evolution Series.

Food waste can be turned into methane by wastewater treatment plants. This is a renewable power source that can be used to fuel the plant. Many wastewater treatment plants are capable of processing food waste into biosolids that can be used to fertilize.

These are some shocking facts about food waste

* The average U.S. family of four produces about 2,000 pounds of food waste each year.

* According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the third largest category of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the U.S., accounting for about 13 percent of MSW material.

* Americans throw away more than 25 percent of the food we prepare, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These scraps contain 70% water, making it easy for disposer to pulverize the waste and then send it through sewage lines.

Visit this site to learn more about how food waste can be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. www.insinkerator.com/green.