Compost: Because Banana Peels Deserve Better Than Landfill
Compost: Because Banana Peels Deserve Better Than Landfill
(Or: How to Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Garden Gold)
There comes a time in every banana’s life when it goes spotty, mushy, and possibly makes a run for the fruit bowl's edge. Most people sigh, wince, and chuck it in the bin.
But I’m here to say: No more! That noble banana peel deserves a second act — as compost. And so does your tea bag, your eggshell, and your coffee grounds.
Because what most people throw away could be feeding flowers, veg, and even the occasional smug tomato plant.
🍌 Why Compost?
Let’s start with some shocking stats:
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About 30% of the average UK household bin is compostable food and garden waste.
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If sent to landfill, it doesn’t break down properly – it rots anaerobically, producing methane (a greenhouse gas 25x worse than CO₂).
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But if composted? You get rich, dark, crumbly goodness that plants love.
Compost is the ultimate eco-upcycling.
♻️ What Can Go In the Compost?
✅ Kitchen Scraps:
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Fruit and veg peelings
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Coffee grounds and paper filters
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Tea bags (check they’re plastic-free!)
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Crushed eggshells
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Stale bread and rice (in moderation)
✅ Garden Waste:
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Grass clippings
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Dead leaves
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Plant trimmings
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Weeds (before they seed)
❌ Definitely Not Compost:
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Meat or fish scraps
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Dairy products
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Cooked oily food
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Pet waste
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Plastic tea bags
🗨️ “If it grew, it can usually go — but if it mooed, oinked or clucked, give it a miss.”
🏡 What Kind of Compost Bin Should I Use?
There are a few routes, depending on your space and vibe:
🪴 1. The Dalek (Plastic Bin on Soil)
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Great for most gardens
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Throw stuff in, stir occasionally, magic happens
🪱 2. Wormery (For the Brave & Curious)
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Uses worms to break down food
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Excellent for flats, garages, or science projects
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Yes, you will name the worms eventually
🧺 3. Open Heap (Rural and Rugged)
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Pile it in a corner and let nature do its thing
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May attract the occasional fox with taste for parsnip peel
🪴 What Comes Out: Black Gold
In a few months (or sooner if you’re a stirring superstar), your food waste will transform into something beautiful:
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Crumbly, dark, earthy-smelling compost
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No banana left in sight
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Perfect for borders, planters, veg patches, or as a smug gift for green-fingered friends
🚀 Bonus Tips:
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Mix greens (wet stuff) with browns (dry stuff) – e.g. grass with paper or cardboard
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Chop big bits smaller to speed things up
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Cover with a lid to keep the smell and flies at bay
🌍 Final Thought: Compost Is Climate Action (That Doesn’t Smell Too Bad)
Composting isn’t just for gardeners and allotment warriors. It’s for anyone who wants to cut waste, grow things, and give banana peels the retirement they deserve.
You don’t need a big garden. You just need a bin, some scraps, and a little patience.
Start small. Compost that one sad apple. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get hooked.
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