Used Coffee Grounds
That puck of wet grounds left after your morning brew is a powerhouse of possibility. Rich in nitrogen, used coffee grounds serve as a fantastic natural fertiliser for acid-loving plants like roses and blueberries; simply sprinkle them around the base
of your plants. Their abrasive texture also makes for an excellent, all-natural scouring agent for tough-to-clean pots and pans. If you have lingering smells in your fridge or on your hands after chopping garlic, a small bowl of dried grounds can absorb odours effectively. You can even use them to create a gentle exfoliating skin scrub or to repair minor scratches on dark wood furniture.
Vegetable Scraps
The tops, peels, and ends of vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery are packed with flavour. Instead of composting them immediately, collect these scraps in a bag in your freezer. Once you have a good amount, you can simmer them in water with herbs to create a deeply flavourful homemade vegetable broth, perfect for soups and stews. Some vegetable peelings, like those from potatoes and carrots, can be tossed in a little oil and baked into crispy, delicious chips. You can also regrow certain vegetables, such as spring onions and celery, by placing their root ends in a shallow dish of water.
Citrus Peels
The fragrant peels of oranges, lemons, and limes are far too valuable to waste. You can infuse vinegar with citrus peels for a few days to create a fresh-smelling, effective all-purpose cleaner for your kitchen surfaces. Dried citrus peels make excellent natural fire starters for a wood stove or outdoor fire pit, releasing a pleasant aroma as they burn. In the kitchen, you can candy the peels for a sweet treat or a garnish for desserts. The zest can be dried and stored to add a burst of flavour to baked goods, teas, or even homemade spice blends. A simple simmer pot with citrus peels and cinnamon sticks will also make your entire home smell wonderful.
Eggshells
Don't just crack them and trash them. Once rinsed and dried, eggshells can be crushed and added to your garden soil. They provide a valuable calcium boost, which can help prevent blossom-end rot in plants like tomatoes. The sharp edges of crushed shells also act as a natural deterrent for garden pests like slugs and snails. For household use, finely ground eggshells can be mixed with soapy water to create a gentle abrasive cleaner for thermoses and other hard-to-clean items.
Stale Bread
That loaf of bread that's a day or two past its prime is perfect for a second life. Cut it into cubes, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake until golden to create crunchy homemade croutons for salads and soups. You can also pulse dried bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs for coating chicken or fish, or for use as a binder in meatballs. For a sweeter application, stale bread is the ideal base for classic dishes like bread pudding or a sweet French toast casserole, as its dry texture allows it to soak up the custard mixture more effectively.
