Dropping a banana skin dilemma

What about apple cores, what’s the verdict on chucking them in the grass?

Banana skins may be visible and a bit unsightly to some, but the ‘pollution’ caused is infinitesimally insignificant when compared to the environmental damage created by people driving to such beauty spots in the first place.

If you’re really that worried about the wilderness environment, then don’t go there at all.

Just because something else is worse is no vindication for doing it.

If I punched someone in the face, “well, it’d been far worse if I’d killed him” wouldn’t be much of a defence.

What’s the verdict on landfills, everyone keen on them? I’ll make a grown-up decision on how and where to dispose of a bit of plant waste in amongst the plants. I’m only doing my bit for the insects and moulds. Won’t someone think of the mould?

Just because something else is worse is no vindication for doing it.

I’m not vindicating it, merely pointing out that actually driving to such beauty spots creates far greater environmental damage than throwing away a banana skin. A far more important discussion would be how we can reduce that impact; the simple answer being not to drive to such areas. Yet I imagine not that many would be willing to give up such recreational pleasures. So blethering on about a few banana skins is really just pissing in the wind.

the ‘pollution’ caused is infinitesimally insignificant when compared to the environmental damage created by people driving to such beauty spots in the first place.

If you’re really that worried about the wilderness environment, then don’t go there at all.

what about if I cycle there…?

So blethering on about a few banana skins is really just pissing in the wind.

Incremental gains my dear fellow.

what about if I cycle there…?

Fine. As long as you use sustainable paths which don’t involve transporting large quantities of foreign materials there, and which don’t negatively impact on the local environment. 😉

Incremental gains my dear fellow.

Of course. But there are loads more important issues to consider before worrying about banana skins. You can’t just pick and chose which issues are convenient for you; you have to look at the whole picture. expending so much energy on such a trivial issue detracts from far more important ones.

Speaking as a tree-hugging vegetarian yoghurt knitter, I sort of agree and I don’t.

You’re right absolutely that there are bigger issues. However, I’d argue against the idea that this means everything else doesn’t matter. Things like not littering are quick, easy things that everyone can do, with little or no impact on their daily lives. It’s a no-brainer.

Giving up the car will have a bigger environmental impact overall of course, but for most people that’s an unattractive prospect and perhaps unattainable.

I take banana skins home with me.

Apple cores go in the hedge…and I secretly hope that an apple tree will be there in a few years time.

(although someone might kindly point out that apple trees are the Triffid of the plant world and smother other plants)

you know you can eat the skins yeah……

Things like not littering are quick, easy things that everyone can do, with little or no impact on their daily lives.

Yes, but here we’re (needlessly) talking about banana skins. Something which will biodegrade. The only argument for not dropping them in the countryside seems to be that they are ‘unsightly’. No evidence as to their actual environmental impact has been presented though.

Giving up the car will have a bigger environmental impact overall of course, but for most people that’s an unattractive prospect

Surprise surprise. Hypocritical though really. ‘Do as I say, not as I do’.

expending so much energy on such a trivial issue detracts from far more important ones.

I disagree, not dropping litter requires such an infinitesimally small amount of effort that it’s not going to detract from anything else. You are free to care, campaign or actively solve any other issue regardless of whether you litter the countryside or not.

you know you can eat the skins yeah……

What if you then subsequently shit that same banana skin out again, behind a bush/rock etc? Most of the skin will be indigestible material.

Yes, but here we’re (needlessly) talking about banana skins. Something which will biodegrade. The only argument for not dropping them in the countryside seems to be that they are ‘unsightly’. No evidence as to their actual environmental impact has been presented though.

Present it, then?

The whole point of the discussion appears to be to ascertain whether it is needless and how quickly they biodegrade. Without discussion, we don’t know.

Anyway. If the only reason to take them home is that they’re unsightly, isn’t that reason enough?

Apple cores go in the hedge…and I secretly hope that an apple tree will be there in a few years time.

English varieties only? 😉

you know you can eat the skins yeah……

I smoke em.
Nothing like puffing a big fat banana skin cheroot to while away the hours on a ramble.

Surprise surprise. Hypocritical though really. ‘Do as I say, not as I do’.

Not really. I’m not suggesting people give up their cars, you are. And I don’t like bananas.

Anyway. If the only reason to take them home is that they’re unsightly, isn’t that reason enough?

Yeah, but have you seen how unsightly most mtbers are to look at.

Anyway. If the only reason to take them home is that they’re unsightly, isn’t that reason enough?

Not really, as it just comes down to subjective opinion. I’m not personally bothered by the odd banana skin, likewise I’m not bothered by wind farms, electricity pylons or burying spent nuclear fuel beneath the Lake District. Because none of those things impact on my enjoyment of the countryside.

Many of the people I encounter whilst out in the countryside are, in my opinion, ‘unsightly’. Can I ask them all to stay at home? 😉

Yeah, but have you seen how unsightly most mtbers are to look at.

How long does it take them to biodegrade?

although i prefer to just chuck mine away, i know how much that offends some people, so i normally get the dog to drop a big ( biodegradable) dump on top of it to hide it until the path fairies come along and move it.

a. dailymail-reader

Many of the people I encounter whilst out in the countryside are, in my opinion, ‘unsightly’. Can I ask them all to stay at home?

nope, but you can ask their owners to take them home with them isntead of throwing them in a bush

Not really, as it just comes down to subjective opinion

Alright. If the only reason to take them home is that many people find them unsightly, isn’t that reason enough?

On reflection, I can’t say as I’m personally particularly bothered about the odd banana skin in a hedgerow. But if I took one to the countryside, I’d take the skin home again, because I don’t particularly want to leave my crap lying around just because I’m too bone idle to shove it in a ziploc and stick it in my pocket.

some people can’t afford ziplocks cougar, or now you’re a mod you’ve forgotten what its like to be poor!?

What’s the environmental impact of the manufacture of ziplock bags (and their eventual disposal)?

Out of sight, out of mind.

whats the environmental impact of owning a computer, having the internet and sitting online moaning about the environmental impact of other things i wonder?

not directed at anyone btw, it just always pops into my head whenever anybody moans about this kinda thing

I’m with Wallace1492. If I’m low down where it’s warm and wet I’ll happily chuck banana skins and apple cores, provided there’s lots of undergrowth/bushes so nobody will see them. If it’s higher so they’ll be there for ages or if they’re going to be visible then I won’t.
Never orange peel though.

Litter in the countryside really boils my pi$$ but I can’t get worked up about an apple core sitting under a hedge.

whats the environmental impact of owning a computer, having the internet and sitting online moaning about the environmental impact of other things i wonder?

More than throwing away a banana skin in a beauty spot, I’d say.

I build a small alter out of sticks and leafs, then place the banana skin on it at the entrance to a badger set as offering to the badger king.

expending so much energy on such a trivial issue detracts from far more important ones.

If it requires so much energy to take the empty banana skin home with you, just how much energy did you need to carry the full one there. And won’t the energy you gain by eating said banana provide the means for you to transport its skin back home?

Yes, but here we’re (needlessly) talking about banana skins.

As opposed to the many other erudite topics you contribute?

No evidence as to their actual environmental impact has been presented though.

One, no. Ten, twenty, a hundred? That’ll pretty substantially shift the fertility status of the soil in most places, possibly allowing weed species to degrade the ecosystem.

What if you then subsequently shit that same banana skin out again, behind a bush/rock etc? Most of the skin will be indigestible material.

I suggest you read this before you go shitting anywhere. The bit on giardia in particular. Human shit is properly nasty.

some people can’t afford ziplocks cougar, or now you’re a mod you’ve forgotten what its like to be poor!?

Sell your bike.

What’s the environmental impact of the manufacture of ziplock bags (and their eventual disposal)?

I don’t know, what is it?

<sigh> ok. Cross out ziploc and put “biodegradeable bag made from recycled materials and sustainable wood pulp, constructed by happy workers allowed to roam freely in open paddocks.” Ziploc is a bit easier to type though.

Never orange peel though.

What’s wrong with orange peel?

What’s wrong with orange peel?

It’s about one of the most non-biodegradable biodegradable things in existence.

whats wrong with orange peel?!

It’s about one of the most non-biodegradable biodegradable things in existence.

Really? Didn’t know that.

It’s about one of the most non-biodegradable biodegradable things in existence.

A rotting sheep’s carcass can contaminate a water source. Lots of sheep die up in the hills. Sheep skeletons litter some areas. Most of the varieties of sheep aren’t indigenous, and their existence in certain areas has had negative impact on the local ecosystem.

Plenty more things to worry about than fruit peel.

Really? Didn’t know that.

Well, slight exaggeration; but yes, it hangs around for a long time. Mainly the waxy materials prevent it from wetting, which in turn prevents microbes from really getting their teeth into it.

It’s about one of the most non-biodegradable biodegradable things in existence.

Really? Didn’t know that.

Well, I’ve got it into my head that it is anyway. But it might be one of those common knowledge facts that isn’t true at all.
There must be a lot of variation though? That article says banana skins take 2 years, but there must be differences between the bottom of a landfill, the top of a Scottish mountain and under a hedge in Surrey?

We tried to dry banana skins at uni due to alleged narcotic properties. Never worked out how it was supposed to be done. Take yours home and continue our failed research?