Why should I store apples separately?

Apples should be kept separately from other produce because they release ethylene gas which causes surrounding produce to ripen quicker. Ethylene is a natural gas produced by plants as they grow and as a plant hormone, ethylene confuses your produce.

When exposed to excess ethylene, avocadoes may soften and then decay, while carrots may begin to sprout new greens which pull nutrients out of the carrot causing it to become soft and shriveled.