\u201cThe bottom line is, even with good intentions, tossing an apple core out the window can contribute to wildlife roadside fatalities, human-wildlife conflicts and ecological disruption,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Jackson and other experts detail why apple cores and other food waste are harmful, and why the best way to protect our natural habitats is not to throw anything out, even the seemingly harmless bits.<\/p>\n
Meet the Expert<\/p>\n
Related: 12 Things You Should Never Compost, According to Experts<\/a><\/p>\n 01 of 06<\/p>\n It Won’t Break Down Quickly<\/p>\n Organic items like apple cores do not decompose properly when tossed out a car window. \u201cComposting relies on a well-balanced mix of moisture, heat, oxygen, and abundant decomposer organisms\u2014bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates\u2014to break down material efficiently,\u201d explains Lauren Click, executive director of Let\u2019s Go Compost<\/a>. \u201cRoadsides and highways rarely offer consistent moisture, warmth, or soil rich in microbes. Instead, your apple core sits exposed, drying out in the sun, splashed by traffic dust or pollutants, often too arid or too alkaline for decay.\u201d<\/p>\n This all means your food waste can persist for one to two months or even longer, far beyond what people expect.<\/p>\n \u201cWe like to emphasize that proper decomposition only occurs in controlled composting conditions, like backyard or municipal bins, where microbial activity is optimized,\u201d Click says. \u201cThe side of the road or a hiking trail is not a compost bin.\u201d<\/p>\n 02 of 06<\/p>\n Puts Animals (and Motorists) At Risk Melia Toney \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Food waste, such as apple cores, attracts wildlife to roadsides, putting them at serious risk of being hit by cars, trucks, and even cyclists. \u201cWhen animals start associating the roadside with an easy meal, they\u2019re more likely to linger in these dangerous areas,\u201d says Jackson. \u201cIt can take years for organic waste like apple cores to fully break down, and during that time, they continue to draw wildlife closer to humans and roads.\u201d<\/p>\n If wildlife starts to see the side of roads as a source of easy food, then they are more likely to be on the side of roads\u2014which increases their chances of getting hit by oncoming vehicles. \u201cIt creates dangerous situations for drivers who may need to brake or swerve suddenly,\u201d says Michael Nelson, animal expert and founder of Kennel Store<\/a>. \u201cEncouraging animals to stay away from busy roads helps protect both them and those behind the wheel.”<\/p>\n 03 of 06<\/p>\n Messes With Wildlife\u2019s Digestion<\/p>\n Apples aren\u2019t part of a wild animal’s diet, which makes it difficult for them to digest.<\/p>\n \u201cMany animals are naturally drawn to discarded food, but apple cores often contain seeds and tough fibers that animals can struggle to digest properly,\u201d says Nelson. \u201cThis can lead to digestive issues or, in some cases, choking hazards.”<\/p>\n 04 of 06<\/p>\n Leads to Dangerous Wildlife-Human Interactions![\"Melia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/94287238895f27d1840512663091f01e.jpeg\"\/)
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