Consultant Q&A: Steve Waltz, senior associate/project manager, Cini-Little International Inc., Baltimore

FE&S: What types of operations utilize waste collectors?

SW: Schools, office buildings and other on-premise feeders most often use waste collectors as these are a big investment. Smaller operations are better off manually scraping dishware.

FE&S: What are the issues with garbage disposers?

SW: Garbage disposers are becoming a more controversial topic because of the limitation of use by local jurisdictions due to the issue of solids being released into the waste stream. In these cases, operators can use a grinder with a lift-out basket to dispose solids in the trash. It can be more labor intensive but is another option. Also, we suggest operators buy a digester that breaks down solids in 24 hours to liquid that can be disposed down the drain.

FE&S: What are the location concerns with these units?

SW: All waste collector systems should be located in the breakdown area of the dish room in the space before the dishwasher. The volume and size of the breakdown table will determine how big of a unit is needed.

FE&S: What are the issues in terms of care and maintenance of these items?

SW: All waste collectors should be cleaned and sanitized daily. These not only can become a source of odors but also gnats, so it’s important to keep them clean. Some units come with lids to help contain odors.

FE&S: What helps determine the size of the waste collector needed?

SW: Waste collector size is based on either the operation’s square footage or dining-room seat count.

FE&S: What is the newest technology with waste collection?

SW: Some waste collectors recycle water rather than continuing to run fresh water. These units utilize a trough where the grinder recirculates fresh water into a slurry pump and pumps it back through the digester. This conserves water since it is recirculated during this process.