Go Bananas! Here are 7 productive ways to use leftover banana peels
Bananas are easily among the most popular fruits in kitchen pantries around the world, however, they are more than just a nutritious snack. The peel of the banana has just as much to offer as the actual fruit — whether it’s in your skincare regimen, homecare or as plant compost.
The road to sustainable living starts with developing a circular economy — one in which every single item is sufficiently used, reused and recycled instead of being discarded after a single use. As the world collectively looks for ways to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, hold off on throwing the leftover banana peels in the trash and instead, put it to productive use around the house. Here’s how you can get started:
Polish your silver
If you are looking to return the lost lustre to your silverware, put away the chemical-ridden polish solutions and reach for a leftover banana peel instead. By rubbing the inside of a banana peel over your silver servingware, the fruit acids present can seep through the grime and return shine to tarnished silver.
Minimise wrinkles
If you’re looking for a natural remedy for early signs of ageing, a banana peel can be of help. The peel serves as a rich storehouse of vitamin C and antioxidants, and when rubbed over the face and neck regularly, it can improve blood circulation and boost the production of collagen for smooth, supple skin.
Anti-acne remedy
Likewise, the wholesome nutrients present in banana peels can also keep untimely acne breakouts at bay. Before going to bed, rub a banana peel over your face and neck to allow the lutein and nourishing vitamins to cure sudden breakouts. We’ve heard that for best results, one must leave it overnight.
Whiten your teeth
A banana peel can serve as an all-natural alternative to a professional tooth whitening agent. The potassium present in the peel works wonders for getting rid of tough stains — simply rub the inside of the peel over your teeth for an instantly brighter smile.
Treat mosquito bites
Moist banana peels can also be of help for soothing bug bites and other skin irritations. When the inside of a peel is rubbed over the affected area, the fruit acids and vitamins work together to provide relief to inflamed skin.
Livestock for animals
Instead of discarding leftover banana peel, it pays to consider its potential as food for farm animals. The robust nutritional profile of peels means that they are loaded with crude fibre which makes it a healthy option for animal feed.
Plant fertiliser
By now, the nutrient-rich profile of banana peels is a known fact, which makes it an excellent candidate as compost for your plants and herbs. Allow a few leftover peels to rest in a bucket of water for a few days. The potassium-rich compost tea can then be used to water plants in the morning to provide them with an instant boost of strength.
While the world production of bananas in 2017 was 117 million tons, it is estimated that 25-30% ends up as waste due to its low shelf life. Let’s work together on turning that figure around by taking conscious steps towards reducing our waste.