# Why don't modern toilets have garbage disposals? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841 "2012-03-05T18:02:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/1 "2012-03-05T18:02:47Z")
It’s better than getting out the plunger. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/2 "2012-03-05T18:06:03Z")
How often do you need to use a plunger on your toilet? ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/3 "2012-03-05T18:09:10Z")
Not \*too \*often at my place, but sometimes… At my parents house, often. It’s just so yucky… ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/4 "2012-03-05T18:11:20Z")
forget the plunger. Why has the Japanese style toilet with heated seat and adjustable warm water spray and air dry blower not caught on anywhere else? ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/5 "2012-03-05T18:13:13Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > forget the plunger. Why has the Japanese style toilet with heated seat and adjustable warm water spray and air dry blower not caught on anywhere else? That too… but I would like to know the answer to my first question. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/6 "2012-03-05T18:13:50Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > forget the plunger. Why has the Japanese style toilet with heated seat and adjustable warm water spray and air dry blower not caught on anywhere else? Because most people just want, to coin a phrase, to shit and get off the pot, not faff about having a rectal wash, blow dry and permanent wave. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/7 "2012-03-05T18:18:33Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Not \*too \*often at my place, but sometimes… At my parents house, often. Sounds like a plumbing problem. Probably something fell into the toilet, and got caught in the siphon. Snake it out. Otherwise, it could be a dietary problem. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/8 "2012-03-05T18:22:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Sounds like a plumbing problem. Probably something fell into the toilet, and got caught in the siphon. Snake it out. > > Otherwise, it could be a dietary problem. It’s a problem with all of their toilets… And yes, my diet could be part of the problem. I use a lot of TP. Still, is it such a bad idea? Especially with people flushing their condoms, tampons, ect. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/9 "2012-03-05T18:22:42Z")
You are looking for a “macerating toilet”. Get out your wallet though because it appears that they start at $700. Also, be prepared to hold it when the power goes out. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/10 "2012-03-05T18:24:30Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > You are looking for a “macerating toilet”. Get out your wallet though because it appears that they start at $700. Also, be prepared to hold it when the power goes out. Ah, so it does exist? ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/11 "2012-03-05T18:26:16Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > You are looking for a “macerating toilet”. Get out your wallet though because it appears that they start at $700. Also, be prepared to hold it when the power goes out. This is an actual thing? No, I am not going to google it. My god man, if you need a toliet that grinds up your product, call a plumber or see a doctor. Something ain’t flowing right, you just need to figure out which specialist is needed. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/12 "2012-03-05T18:27:45Z")
Like I said, it would be an ideal place to have one, not just for BM’s ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/13 "2012-03-05T18:28:49Z")
> [@howye](#): > > This is an actual thing? No, I am not going to google it. > > My god man, if you need a toliet that grinds up your product, call a plumber or see a doctor. Something ain’t flowing right, you just need to figure out which specialist is needed. I think they are generally geared towards basement bathrooms, or such, where the toilet is below the level of the sewer line and thus needs to be pumped up and out. I guess they are also useful for places where really low water usage is desirable since less water is needed to flush away the ground up waste. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/14 "2012-03-05T19:30:15Z")
Hmm, was it just the Cleveland TV market that was introduced to [Saniflow](http://www.saniflo.com/) and their bathroom solutions via commercials during the Oscars last week? ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/15 "2012-03-05T19:33:23Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Ah, so it does exist? I think those are a great idea for commercial or multiple residential units. I’m thinking especially now of cases where units in a stack all use a common sewer. When one occupant flushes a clog, all the folks above are affected. Of course the $700+ negates general usage. I never new they existed until now. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/16 "2012-03-05T19:45:03Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > I think they are generally geared towards basement bathrooms, or such, where the toilet is below the level of the sewer line and thus needs to be pumped up and out. I guess they are also useful for places where really low water usage is desirable since less water is needed to flush away the ground up waste. Yes, a standard part of ‘flush-up’ toilets. I think the main purpose is to keep the pump from getting clogged, and preventing a backup from the type of clog I assume the OP is talking about. Another alternative is the electric (or gas) toilet. These things are popular in RVs, and are available in home models where options are limited. It incinerates the waste. Requires only the electric or gas line, and a 2" vent. You need to put a liner in the bowl. When your done, the flush lever opens the bottom of the bowl up to drop the contents into the incinerator area. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/17 "2012-03-05T19:56:26Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Yes, a standard part of ‘flush-up’ toilets. I think the main purpose is to keep the pump from getting clogged, and preventing a backup from the type of clog I assume the OP is talking about. > > Another alternative is the electric (or gas) toilet. These things are popular in RVs, and are available in home models where options are limited. It incinerates the waste. Requires only the electric or gas line, and a 2" vent. You need to put a liner in the bowl. When your done, the flush lever opens the bottom of the bowl up to drop the contents into the incinerator area. Wow. Be sure not to flush while you’re sitting there. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/18 "2012-03-05T20:22:49Z")
ew ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/19 "2012-03-05T20:36:32Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Ah, so it does exist? Our boat has one. I think they’re common for marine use. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841/20 "2012-03-05T21:02:43Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Because most people just want, to coin a phrase, to shit and get off the pot, not faff about having a rectal wash, blow dry and permanent wave. You’ve got to be clean and dry anyway. I’d imagine that the automated Japanese toilet is much more efficient and comfortable and take less time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-modern-toilets-have-garbage-disposals/614841.md?page=2)