Article by Olivia Rabbi
The use of food waste disposers offers an opportunity to combine simplifying daily life with reducing environmental impact. The company driving this initiative is RiEko – The Eko Intelligence, founded by Paolo Lioy. He’s a manager with more than 20 years of experience in the Appliance sector, former CEO of Whirlpool Italy and Iberia. And from 2021 to 2024 he was president of APPLiA Italia.
Under the slogan “A helping hand for you, a helping hand for the environment”, RiEko’s programme aims to develop market niches that are still relatively unknown. But they offer significant practical value for consumers and tangible environmental benefits. It is no coincidence that the first project on the table concerns the promotion on the Italian market of awareness and uptake of InSinkErator food waste disposers, a brand of the Whirlpool Group.
This is an important step for Italian consumers, who are still largely uninformed about the features of this appliance. «Many domestic innovations become global standards because they solve real-life problems in everyday life», says Paolo Lioy. «The waste disposer is one such technology: once you’ve used it, it’s hard to go back».
A business decision that actively engages with an evolving landscape, characterised by greater focus on organic waste management; the emergence of new opportunities linked to energy recovery and biogas development; the promotion of European policies to strengthen the circular economy; and growing interest in increasingly sustainable domestic solutions.
Space for the waste disposal unit
A waste disposal unit is a device installed under the sink that grinds up food waste. This allows it to be disposed of via the domestic drain and the standard water treatment process. Its ease of use and the way it simplifies the daily tasks of collecting and disposing of wet waste in the kitchen are key factors.
The separation of organic waste in the kitchen often results in frequent disposal of wet waste bags into external bins, the formation of potential unpleasant odours in the kitchen, and consequent domestic hygiene issues. Using a food waste disposer allows you to put waste into the sink and grind it up in a matter of seconds, turning it into very small particles that flow down the domestic drain along with the water. The wastewater is then treated in sewage treatment plants. The organic fraction is not lost but contributes to anaerobic digestion processes and biogas production. A key step that can also have significant transformative implications for waste management (and its costs) by public authorities.
Quiet and efficient
The InSinkErator Evolution Plus 1000 SR model can be easily installed in both new and existing kitchens, as well as in most sinks, thanks to Lift & Latch technology and the rubber grips on the housing. Equipped with a 1 HP induction motor, it delivers maximum grinding power and durability. Besides, Quietest SoundSeal technology makes the disposer particularly quiet.
One of the key features of the InSinkErator is its advanced grinding for hard and fibrous food waste. It utilises four-stage multi-grinding technology and fine grinding (compared to one- and two-stage multi-grinding technology). The antimicrobial diaphragm is removable, and the unit is safe to use with a properly maintained septic tank. The pneumatic switch is available in three finishes: matt black, brushed steel and chrome-plated steel.
InSinkErator food waste disposers are domestic appliances permitted under Italian regulations. They use grinding systems with no exposed blades and are compatible with standard domestic plumbing systems. Besides, they have minimal additional water consumption, comparable to a brief rinse after use.
