Local fruit, such as the core of an apple or pear, does indeed decompose within a short period of time. It is usually found and consumed by local fauna before then. The situation is different with tropical fruit. Bananas and kiwis come in a peel that has a different composition. In their native habitat, the climate conditions that support rapid decomposition do not exist here – especially during the cold season. It can easily take three years or more for a banana peel to disappear.
Do not throw away any exotic fruit leftovers – or better yet, nothing at all
Since fruit is also treated with pesticides here, you shouldn't throw away apple stems on the go. Disposing of fruit scraps is considered an offense like other garbage. You didn't know that? You're not the only one; some of us also had that same expression on our faces:
This is how long fruit and waste remain on the mountain
To give you an idea of how problematic waste disposal is, we have listed here how long it takes for common packaging or food and beverages to decompose :
Dispose of waste properly
Those who love nature take waste disposal seriously – even when it comes to leftover food. This is relatively easy if you plan your hike or bike ride accordingly :
- Fruit can be peeled and portioned at home—it stays appetizingly fresh in a screw-top jar. The scraps can be thrown directly into the organic waste.
- The sandwiches can be carried in specially designed lunch boxes. Stylish models are available, for example, made of stainless steel.
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- For anything that's wrapped in a shell or wrapping, bring a garbage bag—or fold one yourself from old newspapers. The waste can then be properly disposed of upon your return.
- Drinks bottles that keep cold things cold and hot things hot make plastic bottles unnecessary, and if you absolutely have to have a cigarette while you're out and about, you can put the butts in a screw-top container instead of leaving them lying around in nature.
In this way, you can prepare a delicious snack, the leftovers of which can easily be taken along again – to the delight of nature and wildlife as well as other hikers.
