10 Things you should stop throwing away (and what to do instead)

Written By JaxB .

Every day, we toss things that could be reused, repurposed, or turned into something useful. From kitchen scraps to old clothing, we’re wasting money and resources without realizing it. What if I told you that some of your trash could actually save you money?

Here are 10 common items you should stop throwing away - and smart, practical ways to use them instead.

#1. Veggie scraps = homemade broth

Most vegetable peels, onion skins, and herb stems are perfect for making broth. Instead of tossing them, keep a freezer bag of scraps until you have enough to simmer a batch.

How to Make It:

  1. Save carrot peels, celery stems, bell pepper cores, onion or garlic skins, and any other scrap parts of non cruciferous vegetables and store them in a freezer safe container. Continue to save until you have about 2lbs or 4 cups of scraps.

  2. Simmer the scraps with 10 cups of water. You can add a sachet of peppercorn, parsley stems, bay leaf, or other herb flavoring you’d like to experiement with.

  3. Simmer at low heat for 2 hours.

  4. Let cool and strain. Store in freezer safe containers for up to 6 months or refrigerate and use within 5 days.

Bonus Tip: Save chicken bones too for a rich homemade bone broth!

#2. Citrus peels = natural cleaners

Orange, lemon, & lime peels contain natural oils that are antibacterial making them amazing DIY non toxic cleaners.

How to Make It:

  1. Peel several citrus fruits as close to the skin as possible. You’ll want at least one cup of skins. Feel free to mix and match citrus as desired.

    *Tip When peeling your citrus leave as little of the pith (the white stuff in between the skin and the fruit) as possible. This will help to keep the cleaner fresh smelling and won’t go “bad” as easily.

  2. Cover the citrus skin completely with white distilled vinegar. If you have one cup of skins you should use a minimum of 3 cups of vinegar.

  3. Let the citrus soak for 2 weeks then strain.

  4. You can use as is for a powerful degreaser or mix with water (50/50) for an all purpose cleaner.

Bonus Tip: Dried citrus peels also make great fire starters!

#3. Eggshells = garden fertilizer

Eggshells are packed with calcium which plants love!

How to Use It:

  1. Let shells dry, then crush into small pieces. You can put them into a paper bag and hammer or step on them to crush them or add them to a spice grinder to make a fine powder.

  2. Sprinkle the crushed shells around plants (especially tomatoes & peppers).

  3. Add it to compost for an extra calcium boost.

Bonus Tip: Eggshells also help keep pests away from plants!

#4. Old T-Shirts = cleaning rags

Why buy paper towels when you can turn old, soft t-shirts into reusable rags? It’s better for the environment AND your wallet.

How to Make It:

  1. Cut shirts into squares or strips and store them in a basket for easy grab & go use.

  2. Socks make wonderful dusting mitts for counter tops or blinds.

  3. Light weight cotton shirts can be used as “flour sack towels” for straining or filtering foods for recipes.

  4. Finding cotton table cloth in interesting patterns at the thrift store can be repurposed into quality reusable napkins. You can even sew the edges for a more formal and finished look.

  5. Wash & reuse them over and over!

#5. Stale bread = breadcrumbs

Don’t let stale bread, or the ends of bread, go to waste - turn it into something useful instead!

How to Make Breadcrumbs:

  1. Tear stale bread or ends of bread into small pieces

  2. Toast in the oven at 300°F until dry

  3. Blend or crush the pieces into a fine crumb

  4. Store in an air tight container for short term use or vacuum seal for longer shelf life

How to Make Croutons:

  1. Cube your bread of choice (stale, ends, or fresh loaf)

  2. Toss with olive oil and season with salt, dried herbs, and/or pepper

  3. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes

  4. Store in airtight containers or vacuum sealed for longer shelf life

#6. Empty pasta sauce jars = food storage

Those pasta sauce and pickle jars make perfect storage for pantry staples, leftovers, and cleaners.

How to Remove Labels Easily:

  1. Soak jars in warm, soapy water to loosen up the label

  2. Peel off what you can with your fingers

  3. Make a paste of baking soda and oil

  4. Use a scouring pad to scrub off labels with the baking soda and oil mixture

#7. coffee grounds = fertilizer & facial scrub

Used coffee grounds make excellent fertilizer, mosquito repellent, and skin exfoliator.

How to use coffee grounds:

  1. For Plants: Mix into soil or compost for a nitrogen boost. Do not sprinkle on top soil (it will mold).

  2. For Skin: Mix together 1 cup coffee grounds, 1 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil for an exfoliating scrub.

  3. For Cooking: Make a flavorful marinade to tenderize steak. Mix 1/4 cup of coffee grounds, balsamic vinegar, and water to a bowl. Add minced garlic, diced shallots and salt & pepper to taste. Marinate in a bowl for 30 mins to 4 hours and cook as desired.

  4. For Cleaning: Use with a scouring sponge to scrub pots and pans. Great alternative to soap for cast iron!

  5. For Hands: “Wash” hands with used grounds to help remove odors like garlic or fish.

  6. For Repellent: Coffee makes an excellent bug repellent due to its strong scent. Add to candle making for a natural safe for indoor repellent or add to lotion or mineral oil for a body repellent.

8. Candle Stubs → New Candles









📸 Photo: A DIY candle made from melted leftover wax









Gather all those tiny leftover candle stubs and melt them down into a brand-new candle!









✅ How to Make It:

• Melt wax in a double boiler

• Pour into a jar with a new wick

• Let harden and enjoy!

9. Bones → Homemade Bone Broth









📸 Photo: A simmering pot of rich bone broth









Chicken, beef, or pork bones can be turned into incredibly flavorful and nutritious broth.









✅ How to Make It:

• Roast bones for extra flavor

• Simmer in water with veggies for 12-24 hours

• Strain and store in fridge or freezer

10. Used Tea Bags → Natural Deodorizers









📸 Photo: Dried tea bags placed in a drawer as a freshener









Tea bags don’t have to be one-and-done! Use them for freshening up small spaces.









✅ How to Use:

• Dry out used tea bags

• Place in drawers, shoes, or closets to absorb odors

Final Thoughts: Waste Less, Save More!









Every little change adds up! The more we reuse and repurpose, the less we waste and the more money we save.

Want more waste-reducing tips? Sign up for my newsletter below and receive my Zero-Waste Kitchen Guide for free!

















JaxB .
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