Subject: Re: Composting No Nošs
From: Rev Chuck <cdub@-REMOVE_THIS-erols.com>
Organization: RCN Internet
Date: Sat, 01 Aug 98 08:03:11
Message-ID: <MOD$980801.3150@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$980730.4793@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



Cass Bernstein wrote:
>
> I know I read somewhere that banana peels shouldnšt be composted because of
> residue from the gas used to ripen green bananas. Does anyone know if that
> is accurate? Išve read stuff about not composting dairy, oil, fish, meat,
> and non-herbivore manure. Išve read about not composting noxious weed
> seeds, roots or other reproductive parts. But I canšt locate the banana
> peel source. Urban myth?
> ‹Cass

Probably ethylene gas would be used to ripen bananas. It's a
safe product; ripe apples give it off. Residues would be nonexistant,
as the spent gas would completely evaporate once the fruit left the
fumigation chamber. Interesting, though, because I thought bananas had
to be shipped green to endure handling. The green ones I buy seem to
turn yellow without help.

Will they hinder composting? My kitchen scraps run about 40% coffee
grounds, 40% banana peels, with the remainder being variable. My current
bin has been cooking at above 120F since May with the help of a buried
PVC pipe aeration system.
--
Rev Chuck,
Alt.Atheism Mark of the IPU #203,
Ordained Reverend, ULC, 17 March, 1997.
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