The present invention is related to methods and systems for waste disposal and information distribution. A discard information processing apparatus comprises a discard unit including a processor, a scanner, the scanner configured to scan a code on items deposited in the discard unit, a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate over a network, a database storing information related to the discard unit's contents, and a profile associated with a user of the discard unit. A remote processing system is coupled to the discard unit via the network, the remote processing system including instructions configured to receive information from the database, wherein the received information provides an indication as to when at least a first item is to be replenished, and to provide at least a portion of the received information to at least a first supplier so that the first supplier can predict inventory needs.