When hiking in nature, many trekking enthusiasts take their own picnic. After all, fresh air and physical exertion makes you hungry. It stands to reason that you don't throw away the leftovers from your meal. The only exception is leftover fruit. Because these rot, right?
Domestic fruit, i.e. the core of an apple or pear, actually decays within a short time. Usually it is already found and eaten by the local fauna. The situation is different with tropical fruit. Bananas and kiwis come in a skin that has a different texture. In their home countries, climatic conditions support rapid decomposition, whereas here they do not - especially in the cold season. It can take three years or more for a banana peel to disappear.
Do not dispose of exotic fruit scraps - or better nothing at all
Since fruit is also treated with pesticides in this country, apple trunks should not be thrown away on the way. Disposing of fruit residues is considered a misdemeanour like other waste. You didn't know that? You're not the only person who got that look on their face:
That's how long fruit and waste stays on the mountain
To give an idea of how problematic the disposal of waste is, we have listed here how long it takes for common packaging or foodstuffs to decompose:
Dispose of waste correctly
Those who love nature take waste disposal correspondingly seriously - even with leftover food. This is also relatively easy if you plan your hiking or cycling tour accordingly from the outset:
- Fruit can be peeled and portioned at home - it stays appetisingly fresh in a screw jar. The waste can go straight into the organic waste bin.
- The sandwiches can be carried in specially designed lunch boxes. There are stylish models made of stainless steel, for example.
- Take a waste bag with you for everything that is wrapped in a shell or cover - or fold it yourself from old newspapers. After returning, the waste can then be disposed of properly.
- Drink bottles that keep cold things cold and hot things hot make plastic bottles superfluous, and if you absolutely have to have a cigarette on the go, you can put the butts in a screw container instead of leaving them lying around in nature.
In this way, a delicious snack can be prepared, the leftovers of which can easily be taken back - to the delight of nature and wildlife as well as other hikers.
