Garbage processor historical timeline

John Hammes invented the garbage processor in 1927

In order to facilitate the handling of food waste, architect John W. Hammes (1895-1953) from Racing, Wisconsin invented the first food waste disposer in his basement workshop. He hopes that this invention can help people avoid the trouble of dumping or transporting kitchen waste. It grinds food residues into small particles and transports them through pipelines to local sewage treatment plants.

In 1935, John Hammes obtained a US patent for garbage disposal

In 1935, John Hammes obtained the initial US waste disposal patent, which included a grinder connected to an electric motor for grinding food waste into very fine particles, which were then discharged into a sewer through a household pipeline and transported to a sewage treatment plant.

InSinkErator Manufacturing Company was established in 1938

With John Hammes establishing the In Link Engineer Manufacturing Company on Clark Street in Racing, Wisconsin, garbage processors entered the market and the company produced 52 processors in its first year of operation.

In 1947, Jasper, Indiana, required the use of garbage disposal to improve public health

In 1947, the outbreak of swine flu was related to feeding pigs garbage. Herbert Thien, the mayor of Jasper, Indiana, developed a plan to install garbage disposers in every household. By 1950, 800 out of 1200 households had registered to purchase, making Jasper the first city to recognize the value of garbage disposal in improving public health and hygiene.

40% of American households using garbage processors in May 1985

According to the 1985 US Housing Survey, on average, about 40% of American households have garbage disposers.

50% of American households using garbage processors in 2007

According to the 2007 US Housing Survey, 50% of American households with "complete kitchens" have garbage disposal facilities, allowing half of the population in the United States to transfer food waste from landfills through sinks for the first time.

In 2013, Tchobanoglous announced that cities should encourage the use of garbage disposers

At Stonehill College's 100th anniversary of the activated sludge process, George Tchobanoglous, an emeritus professor at the University of California, Davis and an authoritative wastewater treatment institution, claimed that wastewater treatment plants lacked carbon and should encourage the use of grinders.

PS: Activated sludge process refers to the aerobic biological treatment method for treating wastewater

August 2014 Wastewater Engineering Textbook encourages the use of kitchen waste disposers

The 5th edition of "Wastewater Engineering" published by Metcalf&Eddy points out that municipal efforts aim to create energy in wastewater treatment plants