Garbage disposals are convenient but the food put into them causes clogs in pipes, costing cities millions yearly to unclog them. Most of the food scraps are also scooped out of the water stream and landfilled, causing greenhouse-gas emissions. For these reasons, garbage disposals are being banned in many areas across North America. Now there’s an alternative: Sepura, a TIME Top 100 invention. Sepura offers the same convenience as a garbage disposal but is pipe- and even septic-friendly. Sepura installs under the kitchen sink and uses technology to separate 99.9 percent of the solids put down the drain into a sealed, odorless container while allowing liquids to flow through. Sepura can be adjusted from 15 to 22 inches to fit the deepest sinks. It detects non-food items and does not have blades, making it safe for young families. The product includes flood detection and LED lights to indicate fullness (empty every two to four weeks).
