Banana Skins and the Countryside

Q. Hi

Last time I was in the Yorkshire Dales I absently tossed my banana skin over a wall only to be (good humouredly) admonished by my walking pals that is does not do the countryside any good.

Is this true?

Surely since banana skins are organic matter and bio-degradeable they will just rot into the soil providing much needed nutrients?

Thanks,

Jamie Elkstone, Richmond

A. Banana skins, orange peel, apple cores and bread crusts are all litter

Here's why you really should take these things home (they're usually lighter than when you brought them out at this point anyway - so you can't complain about the weight.)

1. The stuff will rot and will improve the soil. This might, at first, seem like a good thing to do. If, however, you are a rare alpine or arctic plant humming gently to yourself in the breeze on the top of an English mountain, the very last thing you want is for somebody to come and feed the local grass which will grow quickly and shade you out in no time. The stuff you drop takes a long time to rot anyway, particularly in winter.
   
2. The hills do have a resident population of rats, crows, gulls and so on - especially in areas popular with people - because they know that people are incontinent of food. Feeding these will increase their numbers, and they, in turn, will eat wild bird eggs and chicks. Not feeding them will help them achieve a more natural balance. In terms of rodents - they are inside that summit cairn you were sitting on last weekend you know - its by no means too cold for them up on Scafell Pike. Its an easy life - the food just drops through the stones.
   
3. Its a dirty, unsightly, horrible habit and a bad example to children, so don't do it.

Mike Knipe, Crook

Add your answer to THIS question | Ask a NEW walking and hiking question

Return to the main list of Walking and Hiking Questions

Search for an existing Walking and Hiking Question or Answer

Home > Questions & Answers about Walking & Hiking

Bottom

Home > Questions & Answers about Walking & Hiking

Top

To contribute to go4awalk.com or to contact us about anything at all - see Talk To Us. For help see Help.

go4awalk.com and go4awalk.co.uk are registered trademarks of TMDH Limited.
Copyright © 2000-2024 TMDH Limited. All rights reserved.

Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement

A - Z    Walks    Home    Log On/Accounts    Photo Gallery    Walk Ideas and Collections    Fell Facts   
Places to Stay    Hill Skills    Walking Questions and Answers    Your Stories    News    Competitions   
Product Reviews/Gear Tests    Walking Gear Guides    Peaks and Mountains    Peak Bagging   
Find New Walking Friends    Camping    GPS Waypoints for Walking   
Walk Search    Talk to us    go4awalk.com Help    Free example walks    Newsletter