Throwing away food scraps can feel wasteful, especially when there are creative ways to repurpose them. Here are four common food scraps and how you can give them new life in your kitchen. 

Stale bread 

Stale bread might seem like a lost cause, but it can be transformed into delicious croutons or breadcrumbs. For croutons, cut the bread into cubes, toss with olive oil and seasonings, and bake at 175°C until crispy. For breadcrumbs, pulse the bread in a food processor and toast the crumbs in the oven until golden brown. Both are great additions to salads, soups, and casseroles. 

@joesgarden Today we are using stale bread to make a delicious Italian style breadcrumb seasoning, it’s fantastic to use on your home baking for that extra crunch and flavour! 😊🌱🥖 #diy #zerowaste #healthy #recipe #bread #seasoning #learnontiktok ♬ Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy

Citrus peels 

Citrus peels from oranges, lemons, and limes are full of flavour and aroma. Use them to make a fragrant citrus cleaner. Place the peels in a jar and cover them with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few weeks, then strain out the peels. The resulting citrus-infused vinegar can be used as an all-purpose cleaner around your home. 

Vegetable peels 

Instead of discarding vegetable peels like carrot, potato, and cucumber, use them to make a nutritious vegetable broth. Simply save your peels in a freezer bag until you have enough. Boil them with water, onions, garlic, and herbs for an hour, then strain. This homemade broth can be used in soups, stews, and sauces. 

@plantyou Veggie scrap broth #scrappycooking #earthday2022 #earthday #zerowaste #sustainableliving ♬ I Don’t Want to Be – Gavin DeGraw

Herb stems 

Herb stems from parsley, coriander, and basil are often discarded, but they pack a lot of flavour. Use them to make a flavourful herb oil. Blend the stems with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then strain the mixture. The herb-infused oil can be drizzled over salads, pasta, or grilled meats for an extra burst of flavour.