The Banana Peel vs. The World

Is Throwing a Banana Peel Littering? Let’s Discuss! 

A recent post in a local Facebook group sparked a lively debate. A woman witnessed a truck driver tossing a banana peel out of their window while driving through Bozeman. She decided to pick it up, follow the truck, and toss it back into their truck bed when they stopped. Her actions led to hundreds of comments about who was right and who was wrong and about whether throwing a banana peel constitutes littering. 

At first glance, a banana peel might not seem like litter—it’s biodegradable, after all. But is it really that simple? 

What Does Biodegradable Mean? 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines biodegradable as something capable of being broken down into harmless substances by living organisms. In simpler terms, biodegradable materials,  like plant and animal products, can decompose through natural processes. However, the time it takes for these materials to break down varies widely. For instance: 

• Bread: A few weeks. 
• Paper: A few months. 
• Some biodegradable plastics: 4–5 years. 

Decomposition depends on factors like light, water, oxygen, and temperature. For example, warm environments speed up the process, while cold or dry conditions can slow it down significantly. 

The Case of the Banana Peel 

In ideal conditions, a banana peel can decompose in 2–5 weeks. But let’s consider the conditions  in Bozeman in December (when this conversation was posted): 

• The banana peel was thrown out on the asphalt. No soil. 
• Freezing temperatures. 

Under these conditions, a banana peel could take up to 2 years to decompose. While it’s better than tossing plastic or aluminum (which take 100–200 years), it’s still litter. Many people enjoy nature and see any form of litter as a disruption, even biodegradable waste. 

Wildlife and Banana Peels 

Some Facebook commenters argued that wildlife would consume the peel, making it less of an issue. However, this poses several risks: 

1. Wildlife Safety: Animals venturing onto roads for food can endanger themselves and drivers. 
2. Dietary Concerns: Human food scraps, even organic ones, can harm animals by disrupting their natural diets, potentially leading to malnutrition or digestive issues. 

Other things to think about:  

In addition to wildlife and aesthetic impacts, littering has numerous negative environmental impacts that can harm ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Some of those impacts include:  

• Soil Contamination: Litter can release harmful chemicals as it breaks down, degrading soil quality and affecting plant growth. 
• Water Pollution: Items like plastic waste and hazardous chemicals enter rivers, lakes,  and oceans, harming aquatic life and polluting drinking water sources. 
• Contribution to Climate Change- Organic waste, when improperly discarded,  decomposes in landfills or open environments, releasing greenhouse gases like methane. ● Health Risks- Spread of Disease: Litter can harbor pests such as rodents and insects that carry diseases harmful to humans and animals. 
• Economic Impacts- Cleanup Costs: Governments and communities spend significant resources on litter cleanup, diverting funds from other important initiatives. 

What Should You Do with a Banana Peel? 

Even when thrown in the trash, a banana peel in a landfill won’t decompose quickly due to the lack of oxygen and light in the buried, anaerobic environment. Composting is a much better  alternative, as it supports decomposition and offers numerous environmental benefits: 

• Enhances soil health and moisture retention. 
• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. 
• Minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. 

If you don’t have a compost setup at home, consider local composting services like Happy Trash  Can or YES Compost in Gallatin Valley. 

In Summary

While a banana peel may decompose eventually, tossing it out of a car window is still littering. It’s better to save food scraps and dispose of them properly, either in a compost bin or through a composting service. Small actions like this help preserve our environment, keep our communities beautiful, and protect local wildlife.