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Soil is just one of the items you shouldn't put down a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are only meant for soft, non-fibrous foods. Large amounts of topsoil, dirt, or rocks will damage the blades of your garbage disposal or clog the pipes. If a small amount of dirt goes down the drain as you repot a plant, you shouldn't have to worry, but never dump a whole pot of soil in the sink for fast disposal.

Never put glass in the garbage disposal. It can damage your disposal or eject shards of glass out of the disposal and cause injury. If you get broken glass in your garbage disposal, turn it off and cut the power from the breaker, use a tool like pliers or tongs to remove the glass, and use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the remaining glass pieces. If you can’t access the disposal safely, call a garbage disposal repair pro.

There are many maintenance and repair issues that lead to a malfunctioning garbage disposal. Regular clogs place wear and tear on the motors, leading to an eventual shutdown. Electrical issues at the breaker, wall outlet, or disposal itself can fry the unit. The most common cause is simply a worn-down motor. These motors can only handle so much use before powering down for good. 

Whether it's worth repairing your garbage disposal depends on its age and the specific problem. Generally, if the unit is eight years old or younger, repair is a good option. For minor issues like a bad seal or a simple jam, a repair can be inexpensive, sometimes under $10. However, if the motor is broken (a repair that can cost $150 or more) or the unit is getting old, it's often more cost-effective to replace the entire disposal.