Garbage disposals are better because they reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning up after meals. If you have a garbage disposal, all of the food scraps and waste go down the drain instead of piling up in your trashcan. This means that you don't have to take out the trash as often, and it also means that your kitchen stays cleaner for longer. Plus, a garbage disposal is a great way to recycle food scraps into useful compost.

It depends on how conscientious you are about your garbage disposal habits. If you're diligent in keeping your disposal clean and free of food waste, then it's a convenient way to keep your kitchen tidy. But if you're not careful to rinse off dishes before putting them in the disposal, or if you're lax about letting scraps accumulate in the sink, then a garbage disposal can become a breeding ground for bacteria and can end up making your kitchen smell bad. Overall, I think having a garbage disposal is more helpful than not, as long as you're willing to be conscientious about using it properly.