Recycling has taken the world by storm.
While it has become a fashionable trend to recycle, the real-world benefits it offers are
quite evident.
Many of us have slowly changed habits and are more careful with how we use paper,
plastics, and water.
Others are even more careful with how they handle nonrenewable resources like gasoline.
This has contributed to the rise in sales of electric cars.
While there are plenty of us doing our part, there are still a few areas where we could improve.
One such area is the waste that comes from our kitchens.
“While we all assume that we don’t waste much,
the reality is very different.
In developed countries, food waste ranges from
90 to 110 kg per person per year.
That is an alarming statistic.”
If you’re wondering what you could possibly do to help recycle organic kitchen waste, keep
reading to find out.
1. Make A Compost
Compost is a combination of organic waste that is used as a fertilizer for gardens and crops.
A natural compost can consist of almost any amount of degradable substances like leaves,
vegetables, egg shells, etc.
While making a compost, it’s a good idea to avoid fats or meats of any kind as this could
attract animals.
2. Donate To A Farmer
It’s estimated that between one-third to one-half of the food produced globally is wasted.
This shocking statistic highlights how important every small contribution is.
While you may think that the scraps from your kitchen aren’t large enough, there are plenty
of farmers that would be grateful for the donation.
3. Wrap Your Scraps
An effective way of creating a compost is to use a green bin.
Before you put anything into your green bin, make sure to pack it.
This will help keep your bin clean, absorb excess moisture as well as aid the composting process.
4. Build A Worm Farm
Worm farms are an easy and efficient way of transforming your food into nutrient rich, fertile soil.
They can be kept in a garden, on a window sill or any other convenient place as they don’t require
much space.
The liquid produced from a worm farm is packed with nutrients and helps plants grow.
Get your kids and make it a group activity, it’s a great way to introduce them to recycling
5. Prepare A Food Plan
The kitchen is where food is prepared and is the ideal place to stop wastage.
Plan your meals such that you limit the amount of waste being produced.
If there is food leftover, seal it in a reusable silver foil or zip lock bag so it can be reheated
and eaten later.
6. Feed Farm Animals
Animals like pigs are fed a compost like substance.
There are plenty of farmers that would be willing to take this off your hands.
Check your local listings for farmers’ markets where you could contribute.
7. Liquid Waste
While this is mostly seen in larger commercial kitchens, it is slowly spreading to domestic
residences as well.
Water from dishwashers, drains, or any other liquid flow is collected in a tank.
This process prevents the flow of excess untreated brown waste into the sewage system.
This waste is collected by government bodies and is taken to wastewater treatment plants.
8. Water Wastage
To grow food commercially, farms require large amounts of water.
When this food is wasted, it is also wasting the amount of water that has been used to
produce it.
In a kitchen one of the biggest wastages is water.
Even a small reduction in the total amount of water used every day will make a significant
impact overall.
9. Donation To Food Banks
Most people end up keeping their leftovers in the fridge for days but rarely eat it again.
It is stored and eventually thrown away.
Instead, any food which is clean and consumable can be donated to local food banks, or
soup kitchens.
10. Donation To Industries
By a process called anaerobic digestion, industries have found a way to produce energy from
food scraps.
The scraps are made into bio-gas which is a renewable energy source and is used to generate
power.
This is an excellent alternative to donating to farms.
11. Reduce Paper Towel Usage
Paper towels are made from trees and when thrown away end up in landfills.
Switch to a sponge to soak up any liquid.
For cleaning, try a micro fiber cloth as they are reusable.
You can also add them to your compost rather than discard them entirely.
While we all assume that we don’t waste much, the reality is very different.
In developed countries, food waste ranges from 90 to 110 kg per person per year.
That is an alarming statistic.
Organic waste dumped in landfills creates greenhouse gasses that are a leading cause
of global warming.
They also increase expenditure related to dumping and storing of waste.
PIN & SHARE!
“Even though it may seem like a drop
in the ocean, every small step we take
to help recycle our waste helps create
a cleaner world.”
What are you waiting for?
Start recycling today.
About the Author
Aradhana is a writer from India. Her areas of knowledge include parenting, children with special needs, health and lifestyle. She loves being outdoors and her hobbies include cycling and hiking. She has a special interest in children with special needs and parenting and shares her experiences through her other passion, writing. She writes to share her knowledge so that it may help others. Her posts on these subjects have been published on more than 250+ various reputed sites like the Huffington post, http://www.momjunction.com/ and many more. Aradhana writes to inspire and motivate people to adopt healthy habits and live a stress-free lifestyle.
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