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7 things you didn't know that could be powered with a banana

Publication date:
23 Sep 2017

Can you really power a stadium with banana peels? And how many bananas would it take to do it?

Bananas definitely make a good case for being one of the better fruits. They are a brilliant source of energy, help to boost brain power, taste amazing with ice-cream and even come packaged in their own protective superhero suit.

We are now discovering an even more unusual use for our favourite curvy yellow friend. It’s not just people they help energise; when recycled banana peels (as well as other food waste) can also be turned into electricity to power all sorts of wonderful things.

Here are 7 of our favourites.

1. The Principality Stadium floodlights

1. Principality Stadium.jpg

The Six Nations may be months away, but do you know how many recycled banana peels would be needed to power the floodlights?

As LED lights they are super energy efficient, so it would take just seven banana peels to keep them lit for a whole hour.

2. A nice warm shower

7. giphy_shower.gif

After a hard day at work, no doubt we all look forward to a nice hot shower.

Powering your shower with 10 minutes of electricity would require a total of 104 recycled banana peels.

3. A fab hairdo

2.giphy_hairdryer.gif

If you’re hitting the town this weekend, ensuring your locks are looking tip top is high on the list.

It would take 30 banana peels to power your hairdryer for 10 minutes.

4. A warming cuppa on a chilly day

3. giphy_cuppa.gif

Many of you will be taking autumn walks making the most of our gorgeous Welsh countryside. There is no better reward after a long walk on fresh autumn day than a warming cuppa.

It would take just eight recycled banana peels to generate enough electricity to boil a kettle to make a round of teas.

5. Welsh cakes

4. Welsh cakes.jpg

No cuppa is complete without a side serving of Welsh cakes!

It would take 67 recycled banana peels to bake a batch of delicious Welsh Cakes.

6. Your home for a day

5. giphy_duvet_day.gif

Whether you’re nursing a hangover or recovering from an action-packed day out, a duvet day at home may be on the cards.

A typical household could be powered with electricity for a whole day with just 761 recycled banana peels.

7. Cardiff Castle

6. Castle Pic.jpg

Bananas will be distributed to all runners at this Sunday’s Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon to keep them energised as they tackle the 13.1-mile course. Cardiff Castle is one of the many Welsh iconic sites that the runners will be passing.

If every runner recycled their banana peel, it could power Cardiff Castle with 4.5 hours of electricity!

Why not come and visit us in the runners village?

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