We’ve compiled some great ways to cut down trash, and make earth a little bit greener.
- Bring your own reusable shopping bags to the grocery. According to the earth policy institute, nearly 2 million plastic bags are used and disposed of every minute. This simple swap from plastic to reusable can make a big difference.
- Reduce or eliminate paper towel use. Switching from paper to cloth towels reduces paper waste significantly. Not to mention how much money it saves! If eliminating paper towels completely is too big of a project for now, consider purchasing paper towels made from recycled paper instead.
- Vegetable scraps aren’t trash! The parts of veggies that usually wind up in the garbage can actually make for great secret ingredients, reducing costs and upping flavor! Onion skins add great color to stocks, kale stems make a delicious saute, and carrot tops can be blended into a superb veggie pesto. We’re sharing our favorite Prep + Rally Broccoli Pesto recipe below so now you can even use up the broccoli stems that generally end up in the garbage!
Zero Waste Broccoli Stem Pesto
Ingredients:
– roughly 3 cups roasted, reserved chopped broccoli stems
– 1 cup fresh basil, washed and stems removed
– 1 clove garlic
– 3/4 cup olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup walnuts
– 2 teaspoons miso paste (optional but strongly recommended)
– 1/3 cup parmesan
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until very smooth. Store in an air-tight container.
Try some of these kitchen switches and play a part in making earth a cleaner place!
