New York City is home to more than 8 million people, and producing that much trash comes with some challenges. One of those challenges is what to do with all the food waste. In New York City, garbage disposals are not allowed in homes because they can add to the city's already significant water pollution problem.
When food waste goes down the garbage disposal, it grinds up the food into small pieces. These small pieces then go through the city's sewer system and end up in one of the 14 wastewater treatment plants. The problem is that these plants were not designed to deal with food waste, so the grinded-up food ends up clogging pipes and equipment. This causes sewage overflows, which can contaminate local waterways with harmful bacteria and other pollutants.
In order to keep its waterways clean, New York City has banned garbage disposals in homes since 1997 (with a few exceptions). So if you live in New York City and your home doesn't have a garbage disposal, don't worry - you're following the law!