A big reason to #StopFoodWaste is to curb the amount of food that makes it to landfills. As wasted food breaks down it produces greenhouse gases like methane and CO2 that are released into our atmosphere, spurring climate change. The Food And Agriculture Organization conducted a groundbreaking global study on food waste and reported that food produced and not eaten creates about 3.3 billion tons of CO2. That makes food waste the third top emitter of greenhouse gases after the USA and China. That’s INSANITY right??
The good news is that every little bit of food that you keep out of your trash helps curb food waste’s carbon footprint. I’ve started really studying the food scraps I throw out and finding better uses for them and I am of course sharing my ideas with you. #ItTakesAVillage! But what to do with items that aren’t edible? Like eggshells? I did some research and found that before you throw them in your compost you can use eggshells to nourish house plants with an easy to make tea.
This calcium and potassium enriched water has done wonders for my flowering plants. Up until this point I wouldn’t call my thumb green. Actually I’d say it had more of a killer instinct. But the times they are a changing! Eggshell tea #FTW!
Tools
- heavy bottomed pot large enough to hold a gallon of water and a tight fitting lid
- fine mesh strainer
- watering can large enough to hold a gallon of water
Ingredients
- a dozen clean eggshells
- 1 gallon of water
Directions
- As you use eggs throughout the week, rinse their shells and put them in a container lined with paper towels to dry.
- When you have at least a dozen eggshells put them in a gallon of water and bring it to a boil.
- Cover and let the eggshells steep overnight. The shells will infuse the water with calcium and potassium which makes for a wonderful all natural plant fertilizer.
- Strain the shells out of the tea and water your plants with it. You can compost the shells or break them up and sprinkle them into your potting soil to further enrich it .
Gallery
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- Clean residue out of eggshells with a light rinse and then store in a container lined with paper towels so they can dry. I keep mine under the sink.
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- As soon as water comes to a boil take the pot off the heat and cover it with a tight fitting lid.
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- Strain the eggshells out of the water and into a watering can. Sometimes I put the can into a larger bowl so if any tea spills out it doesn’t get lost.
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- This plant looks amazing after a month of teas. It has two flowers and a ton of new leaves!
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- I can’t remember the last time this orchid flowered. But look what’s happening after a month of teas!
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