I know it's littering but does it really count?

[Acc0untant]

Often take an apple or banana on my dog walk and when I'm done I'll throw the peel or core in the bushes, brambles, whatever.

My mum was gobsmacked and said I shouldn't do it, that it's littering. Am I unreasonable?

I would throw an apple core into bushes as the small rodents and bugs will soon clear that away, but I wouldn't throw a banana skin as I don't know if it would be eaten quite as enthusiastically by the wildlife. They're not native to this country.

Is that not ok? I've always done that!

I think apple is ok. But I'd also not chuck the banana skin as it isn't native. I've literally just come back from a litter pick so I have skin in the game.

I do the same thing with apples/pears. They biodegrade quickly, many little critters will enjoy it and apparently it's good for the soil.

Not sure about Banana peel though, same with orange skin, I doubt many insects/birds/rodents eat those

I throw an apple core into the bushes, and then feel guilty because not littering is so ingrained!

I don't eat bananas, but don't think I'd throw the peel, I also wouldn't throw orange peel. I'd take both home to put in the green bin.

Apple OK, banana not OK.

Apple cores seem fine, they’ll be eaten. I’m sure some of the apple trees you see dotted around are the remains of someone’s lunch.
banana or orange peels, no.

Haven't really thought about the banana specifics but I take that on board as something to reconsider. Apples though.. seems bonkers not to!

Why not bring a bag for the banana peel just as you'd bring bags for the dog poo you pick up?

My dog nearly died when he was a puppy because someone chucked an apple core in the bushes - he tried to snaffle it but it got stuck in his oesophagus and he started choking - he needed emergency surgery to remove it so I’d never chuck anything in the bushes on a walk.

The problem is when 10 people out on their walk that day throw their apple cores.

Apples are fine I wouldnt chuck anything with a thick skin like bananas that's going to take longer to break down.

Of course it is. Can't believe anyone would think this was ok.

I wouldn’t but can’t justify why I think it’s wrong

I chuck banana peel in my garden all the time, great for adding potassium, often in low supply in the soil. It breaks down quickly.

So long as it's hidden away, non toxic and biodegradable I don't see the problem.

Bananas are great from the soil but they are very visible. Maybe put it under some leaves if you cannot bring it home.

I didnt think banana peel decomposed for years, if ever??

YABVU. It’s still littering.

But apples drop off the trees in the wild.

They take a very long time to decompose, can unbalance the natural balance, and if likely to be eaten by livestock can cause all kinds of problems. Eg Colic in horses can kill.

Apple core fine, stupid to put it in a bin when it can be eaten by wildlife. Banana skin no.

I wouldn’t call 2 months quick.

Oh yes let’s wrap it in plastic so that it can be on the earth forever more

I think apple cores are OK but bananas (and orange peel) are not. They'll break down eventually, but they take a really long time.

Apples, absolutely. I wouldn’t Chuck a banana peel, I’d bring it home and compost it there.