Creative ways to use food scraps and reduce food waste

It is common to be left with a large number of food scraps produced after chopping, peeling, or prepping. Much of these food scraps get dumped directly into the trash. As a result, around 70 billion pounds hit landfills every year. Do you also throw away a good amount of food scraps?

If yes, then you'll be amazed by knowing that it is possible to use mostly food scrap. It is not about being budget-conscious, but you'll surely feel good for making possible efforts to reduce waste. This blog is for you if you want to get creative with your food scraps.

Why is there a need to reduce food waste?

1) Economic savings

Whatever amount of money is being invested by governments, businesses, and consumers in the transportation, processing, and production of food just goes to waste. So, reduce food waste to save money which is spent at all the food supply chain levels. Also, redirect such resources to make their productive use.

2) Environmental impact

Among the contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, food waste is one of them. They produce in landfills in the form of methane gas. Whenever there is a lack of oxygen while food decomposes, methane is released, which leads to climate change. You can reduce food waste and aid in mitigating such harmful environmental impacts.

3) Biodiversity and Land Use

The chief cause of habitat destruction and deforestation is agriculture. You can reduce this agricultural expansion demand by not letting waste food. As a result, you can contribute to protecting biodiversity, maintaining balance, and preserving the natural ecosystem.

4) Resource Conservation

There is a need for precious resources like energy, water, etc, to produce food. Whenever there is a waste of food such resources too get wasted during the process. You can minimize food waste to conserve such resources and make their proper use to meet the global food demand.

5) Food Security

While wasting food, just think about people out there who are suffering from food insecurity and hunger. So, start reducing food waste to redirect surplus food to needy ones. Take a step to improve food access to vulnerable people and beat the hunger.

6) Ethical Considerations

While producing food countless efforts are being made by people through the supply chain of food. Wasting food simply represents that whatever hard work and dedication are being made by people turned into waste. Thus, start reducing food waste to demonstrate respect for the efforts made by farmers and the entire food system.

Creative ways to use food scraps

1) Fruit Peel Infusions

You can infuse flavor into dishes by using the peels of citrus fruits like orange, lime, and lemon. For this, you've to first dry them, and after that, you can use them in your herbal teas. You can steep the peels in the liquid to create flavored vinegar or oil infusions. Also, you can use them to make a fresh citrus scent in homemade cleaning solutions.

2) Regrow Vegetables

Several vegetables can be regrown by their scraps. Use the bottom ends of vegetables like green onions, then place them into the water. When you spot that their roots start sprouting, then it's time to transfer them to a garden bed or pot. It is a perfect way to enjoy a continuous fresh produce supply without looking for new plants.

3) Vegetable Scraps for Stir-Fries and Soups

You can use vegetable scraps like cabbage cores, and broccoli stems in soups and stir-fries. For this, you have to chop them and then add them to your dishes for adding nutrition. Slightly bruised or wilted vegetables will also work into such dishes if you don't want to waste them.

4) Homemade Fruit Scrap Vinegar

You can easily make homemade fruit scrap vinegar by using leftover food scraps such as cores, peels, or bruised fruit. Combine these fruit scraps with water then use sweetener and leave it all alone for a few weeks. The final product can be used in marinades, dressings, or household cleaners.

5) Freeze Food Scraps

There is no problem if you don't want to use food scraps now. You can use them in the future just by freezing scraps. For instance, save vegetable peels or herb stems in a freezer bag. After accumulating enough scraps, you can make homemade broths or stocks.

6) Pickling and Fermenting

You can preserve your surplus vegetables with the method of fermenting or pickling. You can create sauerkraut by fermenting cabbage scraps. You can also try other vegetables such as onions, peppers, and many more. Use radish slices, cucumber ends, etc, to make pickles, then store them in a brine solution. With this, you can enhance meals and get probiotic benefits from fermented foods.

7) Homemade Bread Crumbs

You can make homemade bread crumbs by saving leftover bread slices, crusts, or stale bread. Until the bread turns dry, just toast it, then crush or blend to make it crumbs. Such crumbs can be used as breading for fish, topping for casseroles, etc.

8) Composting

You can start composting by setting up a heap or compost bin in the backyard. Also, you can use an indoor usage designated composting system. With composting, you can turn food scraps like coffee grounds, vegetable peels, etc into nutrient-rich soil. The final product can be used to fertilize the potted plants or garden.

9) Vegetable Stock

You can make a flavorful stock by saving the vegetable trimmings like celery leaves, onion peels, etc. All you have to collect enough of them until your freezer bag gets filled. After that, use spices and herbs to simmer them in water. This homemade stock can be used as a base for sauces and soups.

10) Feed Animals or Donate

In case, your food scraps aren't fit for human consumption, then it is better to donate them to your nearby animal shelter or local farms. Some organizations accept such food scraps to provide nutrition to animals and reduce waste.

Conclusion

Next time there is no need to toss your pile of food scraps because there are many ways to put them to good use. Whether it is in the kitchen or food industry, the habit of getting creative to reuse food is getting a boost. So, you can also reduce food waste by trying the above-mentioned creative ways.