Whether eaten as a fruit, blended into a smoothie, or cooked into a pie, apples are a delicious and nutritious part of many people’s diets. No wonder the famous saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has been making the rounds for over a century.
But have you ever given heed to what happens to an apple core after you’ve enjoyed the rest of the fruit? Can it be flushed down the toilet like some other waste, or does it need to go in the garbage?
Well, the fact that you’re reading this article means that you’ve probably been wondering about the post-apple core conundrum yourself. So, let’s get to the bottom of it once and for all – can you flush an apple core down the toilet?
Can You Flush An Apple Core?
The short answer is no. You cannot flush an apple core down the toilet. Flushing an apple core down your toilet can clog your pipes and lead to costly repairs. So, to avoid that headache, just don’t toss the middle part of this tasty fruit in the toilet.
To start off, an apple core, along with other types of fruit waste, is classified as biodegradable waste. In other words, it will eventually break down, just like human waste.
However, biodegradability alone doesn’t make something flushable. The decomposition rate is just as important as the fact that it decomposes. And unfortunately, apple cores decompose much slower than human waste and anything else meant to go down your toilet.
You see, apple cores contain high levels of cellulose, a type of indigestible fiber that helps give plants their structure. It’s also found in other kinds of fruit, vegetables, and grains.
Now, cellulose is an essential part of a healthy diet. However, it doesn’t break down easily in water. So, while an apple core will eventually break down, it’ll take much longer than other types of waste. And in the meantime, it’ll just sit in your pipes and clog them up.
So, just dispose of your apple cores appropriately to avoid a plumbing nightmare. It will save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle.
How Do You Unclog An Apple Core In A Toilet?
To unclog an apple core, you can remove it with your hand if it’s still stuck in the toilet trap. However, if you can’t see it, you may need to opt for a plunger or a plumber’s snake to address the issue.
If you’ve already made the mistake of flushing an apple core down your toilet, don’t panic. Most of the time, the core will just get stuck in the toilet trap.
The toilet trap is the U-shaped pipe located beneath your toilet bowl. It’s designed to catch anything flushed down the toilet before it has a chance to enter the sewer line.
So, if you can see the apple core in the toilet trap, you can simply remove it with your hand. Only be sure to wear gloves and use a paper towel to avoid contracting bacteria.
If you can’t see the apple core, you’ll need to use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to remove it.
As for the plunger, you may need to heat it up by running it under hot water for a few minutes before using it. This will help create a better seal between the plunger and the toilet bowl. Once you’ve done that, just place the plunger over the toilet hole and pump it up and down.
After several times of plunging, the apple core should be dislodged and flushed out of the toilet. But again, keep in mind that sometimes it may take a little more elbow grease to get the job done.
If the plunger doesn’t work, try using a plumber’s snake. Insert the snake into the toilet bowl and push it down until you feel resistance.
Now, if neither of these works, the only remaining option you have is to bring in a professional plumber. They have the tools and expertise to remove even the most stubborn clogs.
How Much Does It Cost To Unclog A Toilet?
A plumber will typically charge $50 to $300 to unclog a toilet, with the average cost being $164. The cost will depend on whether the plumber has to use an auger or remove the toilet to clear the blockage. The latter option will definitely cost more.
The cost of hiring a plumber depends on the location, the nature of the problem, and to some extent, the plumber’s experience level.
To save on the cost of unclogging your toilet, try to do it yourself first. If that doesn’t work, you can always call a professional. Just be sure to ask for an estimate first, so you know how much the service will cost.
Some plumbers only provide a rough estimate until they see the problem themselves. Others will give you a flat rate, which is usually more expensive than an hourly rate.
The best way to avoid having to call a plumber is to properly dispose of your apple cores. That way, you won’t have to deal with a clogged toilet or a hefty bill.
How Long Does It Take For An Apple Core To Decompose?
An apple core takes about two months to decompose once in the garbage. Well, that’s longer than most vegetables and fruits with higher water content will require, but shorter than it takes a banana peel and orange peels to decompose.
While food eventually biodegrades, the time it takes for that to happen differs from one item to another. The water content, type of food, and surrounding temperature affect how quickly or slowly something will break down.
In general, the drier the food, the longer it will take to decompose. This is because moisture helps microorganisms to break down organic matter.
Apples have a fairly high water content but are also quite dense. This combination means that they’ll take longer to decompose than something like a watermelon, which is mostly water.
As for the surrounding temperature, items will decompose more quickly in warmer weather. This is because microorganisms are more active when it’s warm out.
So, if you’re wondering how long it will take for that apple core to decompose, the answer is two months. Of course, this is just an estimate. The actual time could be shorter or longer depending on the conditions.
But again, that’s when you dump it in the garbage. In the toilet, it may take a bit shorter to decompose, thanks to the microorganisms in the sewage.
Even so, it’s worth mentioning that it generally takes apple cores more time to break down than is safe for your toilet. So again, just don’t dispose of your apple cores in the bathroom.
Can You Put An Apple Core In The Garbage Disposal?
No, you should neither put an apple core in the garbage disposal. Apple cores are way too solid for the garbage disposal system to handle. They can cause damage to the blades, especially if they are already in a compromised condition.
Your garbage disposal unit isn’t meant for everything you generate in the kitchen. Just because it can chop up soft foods doesn’t mean it can handle everything. Apple cores, bones, and other hard items can severely damage your garbage disposal unit, and it’s not worth the risk.
If you’re unsure whether something can go in the garbage disposal, err on the side of caution and don’t put it in. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Can You Throw An Apple Core Out The Window?
No, it’s better not to throw an apple core out of the window. Sure, apple cores decompose over time, but that takes time, and it’s more likely that an animal will eat the apple core before it decays.
Since they are natural, it’s only natural to think that throwing apple cores out the window is okay. But it’s actually not the best idea.
First of all, it’s littering. Yes, while apple cores may not be as harmful as, say, plastic straws, they’re still litter. And littering is bad for the environment.
Plus, there’s a good chance that an animal will eat the apple core before it has a chance to decompose. This could lead to stomach problems for the animal or even blockage if the apple core is big enough.
So, it’s better to just compost your apple cores or put them in the trash instead of throwing them out the window. That way, you’ll be doing your part to keep the environment clean and won’t have to worry about harming any animals.
Can You Plant An Apple Core?
No, you can’t plant an apple core. For the apple seeds to turn to seedlings, you need to dry them, something you can’t do with a core. So, if you think planting apple cores will yield apple trees, that’s not the case.
It’s normal for seeds to grow to seedlings when afforded the right conditions. But for that to happen, the apple seeds need to be dry. Once they’re wet, they won’t be able to germinate.
So, if you want to grow apple trees from scratch, you’ll need to start with the seeds. You can’t plant an apple core and expect it to grow into an apple tree.
But again, even if you are ready to go through the entire process of removing seeds from the cores and drying them before planting, that still doesn’t guarantee success.
The success rate of growing apple trees from seed is meager. And even if things turn out well and you do manage to grow an apple tree from seed, likely, the fruits won’t be of good quality. That’s because most apples you buy in the grocery stores are hybrid varieties.
So, buying seedlings from a nursery is better if you want to grow apple trees. That way, you’ll have a higher chance of success, and you’ll be able to get good-quality apples.
Final Verdict
While apples are safe and healthy for eating, ensure that you don’t dispose of the cores in your toilet or garbage disposal system. It’s better to either compost them or put them in the trash.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try to grow apple trees from seed. But the success rate is very low. Ultimately, it’s up to you what to do with your apple cores!