You probably already know much about bananas – that they are rich in potassium, both fruit and berry, that they make a delicious and healthy snack, and that you can find them in different colors, not just yellow.
However, what many people don’t know is whether or not they can put banana peels in the garbage disposal. That leaves them wondering, can you put banana peels in the garbage disposal?
Now, if that’s your current predicament, don’t worry. We’re here to help clear things up for you. Just follow us closely through this article, and you’ll know everything there is to know about putting banana peels in the garbage disposal.
Can Banana Peels Go Down the Garbage Disposal?
Unfortunately, banana peels can’t go down the garbage disposal. Bananas have high fiber content, so they aren’t as easy for your garbage disposal to grind. The stringy fibers in banana peels can get caught in the blades of your garbage disposal and cause it to jam.
Your garbage disposal may look much like it can handle anything you put down. But that’s not actually the case. And yes, one of the things it can’t take is banana peels.
When you opt to put banana skin down the garbage disposal, that simple step could mark the beginning of a big nightmare for your machine and probably your pocket as well.
The thing is, banana peels are very fibrous. They’re unlike other food scraps that your garbage disposal can handle easily. The stringy fibers in banana peels can get caught in the blades of your garbage disposal and cause it to jam.
Plus, banana peels can get stuck in your pipes. And when that happens, you’ll have to call a professional to get them out for you – which can cost you a lot of money.
So, to answer the question, you shouldn’t put banana peels in the garbage disposal. It may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but it can cause big problems for your garbage disposal and your plumbing.
Should You Put Banana Peels in the Garbage Disposal?
In short, you shouldn’t put banana peels in the garbage disposal. As we’ve mentioned before, banana peels are very fibrous and can easily get stuck in the blades of your garbage disposal, which can cause it to jam.
Plus, if the banana peels get jammed in the drain pipes, it’ll cause even more serious problems. So, to avoid all that, it’s best to err on the side of precaution and avoid putting banana peels in the garbage disposal.
Instead, opt for safer ways to dispose of your banana skins once you’re done enjoying the delicious fruit, and we will discuss more later in this article.
What To Put in the Garbage Disposal for Smell?
You can put several things in your garbage disposal to help with smells. You can use citrus peels, scouring powder, or even natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar, borax, mouth wash, or salt and ice. It all depends on your preference and what’s available.
Smelly garbage disposal is never a pleasant experience. But luckily, there are things you can do to get rid of the bad smell. They include;
1. Citrus Peels
Lemons, oranges, and grapefruits are great for eliminating bad smells from your garbage disposal. And it’s pretty straightforward – put a handful of citrus peels in and run the garbage disposal for a minute or two.
2. Scouring Powder
Scouring powder works by getting rid of the grease and removing any food particles stuck in your garbage disposal causing it to smell. To use this method, pour 1/2 cup of scouring powder from your favorite brand and run cold water. Then, leave it for about 15 minutes before using more cold water for the garbage disposal.
3. Natural Remedies
If you’re looking for a more natural way to eliminate the bad smell in your garbage disposal, you can try using some common household products. Things like baking soda and vinegar, borax, mouthwash, or even salt and ice can help eliminate the bad odor.
Simply put, there are several things you can do to get rid of the bad smell in your garbage disposal. From using citrus peels and scouring powder to more natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar, plenty of options are available.
Are Banana Peels Recyclable?
Unfortunately, banana peels are not recyclable. This is because they’re considered food waste, and most recycling facilities don’t accept food waste. So, if you want to get rid of your banana peels, just know recycling them isn’t one of the available options.
Recycling is a surefire way to help the environment. It reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills and helps conserve resources. And while there is a wide variety of recyclable items, it’s unfortunate that banana peels just don’t feature on that long list.
You see, banana peels aren’t like any of the recyclable items. It belongs to the category of foods. And as we all know, no recycling centers can accept such.
But then again, that doesn’t mean they’re useless. Just because banana peels can’t be recycled doesn’t mean they have to go to waste. There are plenty of ways you can use those outer layers to your advantage.
For instance, they can work as mulch or compost. Banana peels make excellent compost because they contain high levels of potassium and phosphorus, both essential nutrients for plants.
But again, it’s worth mentioning that banana peel decomposition takes longer than other options. A banana peel’s biodegradability may take a few weeks to two years. This period much depends on the favorability of the composting conditions.
Another great way to use banana peels is to feed them to your livestock. Chickens, in particular, will love feasting on these tasty snacks. And since they’re packed with nutrients, it’ll be a good way to improve the health of your livestock.
One thing, though, always ensure that you chop the peels into smaller manageable sizes, especially when feeding them to smaller animals like chickens, piggies, hamsters, and the likes. That way, you’re sure the tasty snack won’t become a choking hazard.
So, in other words, while banana peels aren’t recyclable, there are plenty of ways you can use them. It all comes down to your preference and how far you can become creative on the matter.
Safe Ways To Dispose of Banana Peels
You can dispose of banana peels by tossing them in the trash. This is the easiest and most common way to get rid of banana peels. But if you’re looking for other options, you can try composting or feeding them to your livestock.
When it comes to disposing of banana peels, there are only two options: toss them in the trash or compost them.
Tossing them in the trash is the easiest way to get rid of banana peels. All you have to do is find a garbage bag and chuck them in. But of course, this isn’t the most environmentally-friendly way to dispose of banana peels.
A better option would be to compost them. As aforementioned, banana peels are rich in nutrients, which makes them great for compost. Moreover, composting banana peels is a great way to reduce food waste.
And to compost them, you can either bury them in your backyard or add them to your kitchen compost bin. If you’re burying them, ensure that you chop them into smaller pieces first. This will speed up the composting process.
And if you’re adding them to your kitchen compost bin, just add them as you would any other food waste.
What Should You Not Put Down the Garbage Disposal?
Things you shouldn’t put down on the garbage disposal range from coffee grounds and eggshells to bones, banana peels, and much more. So, the next time you clean your sink, think twice before chucking any of these things down the drain.
To have a better grasp of what shouldn’t go down the garbage disposal, here’s a quick list:
- Coffee Grounds: While they somewhat help reduce odors, pouring coffee grounds down the garbage disposal can cause it to clog. This is because coffee grounds expand when wet and can quickly build up, causing a blockage.
- Bones: The reason is pretty obvious – bones are too hard. So, they can damage and even break the blades. So, it’s best to avoid putting them down the drain.
- Cleaning Chemicals: You should never pour cleaning chemicals down the garbage disposal as it can be very dangerous. The substances can mix and create a toxic gas, or even wear out the disposal unit.
- Corn Husks: Corn husks can quickly build up and cause clogs. So, it’s best to avoid putting them down the drain.
- Onion Skins: The problem here is with the thin layer underneath the outer coat of the onion. This thin membrane can easily dodge the blades and end up in the drains, causing clogs.
- Potato Peels: Like onion skins, potato peels can easily miss the blades and catch things in the drain.
- Fat, Grease, and Oil: Fats, grease, and oil can quickly solidify once they cool down. This can cause clogs as well.
- Egg Shells: Eggshells can actually be good for garbage disposal as they help sharpen the blades. But the inner membrane of an egg can easily cause nightmares when it gets to the drain.
- Pasta: We all know that pasta expands when cooked. The same happens when it’s left to soak in water. So, if you put pasta down in the garbage disposal, it will quickly expand and cause problems for your system.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal is another food that expands when wet. So, if you put it down the drain, it will quickly swell up and multiply the chances of causing trouble.
- Fibrous Vegetables: Fibrous vegetables like celery and asparagus can be tough on the garbage disposal. They can wrap around the blades and cause them to break.
- Pits: Pits from fruits like plums, cherries, and apricots can damage the blades. They’re also a choking hazard.
- Nuts: Nuts like macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts can easily damage the blades. So, to avoid all that, be sure not to toss them into your garbage disposal unit.
And there you have it – those are some common household items you shouldn’t put down at the garbage disposal. Of course, the list doesn’t end there. So, in case you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to just play it safe and throw it in the trash. After all, better safe than sorry!
Final Verdict
Banana peels can cause trouble, not just for your plumbing system but also for your garbage disposal unit. So, it’s best to avoid putting them down the drain.
Instead, compost them or throw them in the trash. That way, you can save yourself the headache (and money) of dealing with a clogged drain or damaged garbage disposal.