Creating a Sustainable Kitchen: 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps

Reusing food scraps isn’t just a great way to reduce waste – it’s also a fantastic way to save money on groceries by making the most of what you already have. By being intentional about the food you buy, how you plan to use it, and how you store it, you can start building a zero waste kitchen without buying anything new!

Did you know that the average Canadian household wastes 140kg of food per year?! That’s more than $1300 worth of food and 63% of it still could have been eaten! Many of the food scraps we toss (veggie peels, herb stems, citrus rinds, etc.) are packed with flavour and nutrients, so why let them go to waste?

In this post, I’ll share 11 ways that I reuse food scraps in my kitchen, turning them into pantry staples, natural cleaners, and more! Whether you’re looking to reduce waste, save money, or get creative in the kitchen, these tips will help you make the most of every last bit!

1. Make Veggie Broth from Scraps

One of the easiest and most versatile ways to reuse food scraps is by making your own homemade veggie broth. Save those onion skins, carrot peels, celery ends, and mushroom stems in a freezer bag. When the bag is full, simmer them with seasonings to create a delicious, homemade broth. It’s perfect for soups, stews, and even as a cooking base for grains like rice or quinoa! Freezes well in reused jars for months.

2. Make DIY Herb Salt

Repurpose herb stems by dehydrating them and grinding them with salt to create a flavorful, herb-infused seasoning blend. This is a fantastic way to preserve the fresh, aromatic flavours of herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley, especially when they are in season. Simply combine herbs and salt in a food processor and dry in the oven – try this recipe! You can use this versatile blend to season roasted vegetables, pasta, or soups. It’s a great way to reduce waste while adding a burst of fresh, aromatic flavour to your meals!

3. Regrow Vegetables from Scraps

Did you know that you can regrow some vegetables from scraps? Instead of throwing out the ends of scallions, celery, or lettuce, try regrowing them in water! Simply place the scraps in a glass with a bit of water and watch them sprout in just a few days. Once they’ve grown enough, transfer them to soil for a steady supply of fresh greens – no extra cost, no waste!

4. Citrus-Infused Vinegar for Natural Cleaning

Turn citrus peels into a natural, eco-friendly, and all purpose cleaning spray. To make, add citrus peels (lemon or orange is my favourite) to a glass jar and cover with white vinegar. Let it steep for a few weeks, then strain the mixture into a repurposed spray bottle. This mixture pairs well with unpaper towels for all your general cleaning needs!

5. Use Citrus Peels for Flavouring

Before tossing your citrus peels, zest them for a burst of flavour. It’s a quick, easy way to elevate dishes without adding extra cost or waste. Citrus zest can be used in baking, homemade spice blends, seasoning vegetables, or infused into tea and cocktails. Candied orange peels are a holiday favourite at our house too!

6. Turn Stale Bread into Croutons or Breadcrumbs

Rather than tossing stale bread, turn it into homemade croutons or breadcrumbs. For croutons, simply cube the bread, toss it in olive oil and your favourite seasonings, and bake it until crispy. To make breadcrumbs, I cut the ends of bread loafs into very small cubes, let them air dry on a plate for a few days, and then pulse in a food processor. Both options store well in a glass jar in your pantry.

7. Make a Natural Dye from Onion Skins, Avocado Pits, or Beet Peels

For a creative twist on waste reduction, use food scraps to make natural, non-toxic dyes. try using onion skins to make a golden-brown dye, avocado pits for a lovely pink shade, or beet peels for a deeper hue. These natural dyes can be used for fabric, Easter eggs, or even in DIY craft projects. I love using them for colouring handmade paper.

8. Make Vegetable Peel Chips

Instead making broth with your vegetable peels, , turn them into crispy chips! Simply toss the scraps with a little olive oil, salt, and your favourite spices, then bake them at a low temperature until crispy. Experiment with peels from potatoes, carrots, yams, zucchini, parsnips, or even apples. They are a healthy, waste-free alternative to store-bought chips, and a fun way to reuse food that would typically be discarded.

9. Coffee Grounds Are So Versatile!

Don’t toss those used coffee grounds – think outside the cup! Coffee grounds have so many uses after they have been brewed. In the garden, they’re a great nitrogen boost for compost and can be sprinkled around acid-loving plants like blueberries and tomatoes. Place some used grounds in a small bowl in the back of your fridge to absorb odors. You can also use them to make body scrubs and scalp treatments. 

10. Use Eggshells in the Garden

Crushed eggshells make a great natural pest deterrent in the garden. Spread them around your plants to create a barrier that snails and slugs will avoid due to the sharp edges. This works especially well for my hostas. As they decompose, eggshells also add calcium to the soil, promoting stronger plants and helping to prevent issues like blossom end rot in tomatoes. You can see how I store them until spring here – my most viewed video ever!

11. Feed Your Compost Bin

Not every food scrap needs a second life in the kitchen – composting is still a form of reusing! Food is our direct connection to the earth, so turning scraps into soil to grow new food feels quite poetic.

Scraps like potato skins, broccoli stalks, and eggshells are excellent additions to compost and will eventually transform into nutrient-rich organic matter that can nourish your garden or houseplants. Whether you’re using a backyard bin, a countertop composter, or even an indoor worm farm (yes, worms!), there is a composting method to fit nearly every living situation!

By making a few simple changes in how you handle food scraps, you can significantly reduce waste, save money, and even get creative with your meals and household projects. The next time you’re in the kitchen, try rethinking how you use leftovers – your wallet, and the planet, will thank you!

Looking for more tips to reduce waste food waste? Check out my e-book A Beginner’s Guide to a Zero Waste Kitchen.