INGENIOUS WAYS TO RE-USE BANANA PEEL

Humans consume billions of bananas each year, making it one of the most popular foods in the world. Full of vitamins and minerals including potassium - a nutrient which is well known for its ability to aid muscle recovery after strenuous physical activity. However, it also results in billions of banana peels, which are typically thrown away, leading to several million pounds of waste added to landfills.

How can we reduce the amount of waste by transforming those discarded banana peels into something useful:

• Compost. Mix then into the compost pile. Peels add potassium and phosphorous which promote root development and overall plant health.

• Shine up houseplants. Rub the soft fleshy side on the leaves of houseplants to clean off dust and give them a healthy glow.

• Livestock feed. Chickens, rabbits and pigs will enjoy ground up dried banana peel added to their feed.

• Soothe skin irritations. Rub moist banana peel on bug bites, stings and other skin irritations to help soothe away pain and itching.

• Improve our complexion. Massage a piece of ripe peel over the entire face once every few days. The fruit acids and nutrients can help to exfoliate and nourish our skin, giving it a softer, younger and healthier appearance.

• Remove warts. Rub a piece of ripe peel over the wart each night before bed and watch it fade.

• Shine our shoes. Rub the soft inside of ripe peel over leather to refresh, clean and shine.

• Polish silver. Rub the inside of ripe peel over dull and tarnished silver to restore its natural glow.

• Whiten teeth. Rub the soft inside on our teeth once per day for two weeks to remove stains.