Ways to reduce food waste
Do you feel guilty about wasting food? Don’t worry – it happens to all of us. But fortunately, you can put a stop to it: Take your leftovers that previously would have ended up in the bin and use them!
1. If there is an organic waste bin available, you should always use it. And while you’re at it, you can add a couple more containers for paper and plastics.
2. Leftovers can still contain plenty of nutrients. Eggshells contain a lot of calcium. You can rinse, crush and scatter them around the base of plants to improve water drainage (if your garden is outside, the shells will also keep slugs and snails away). The same is true for used coffee grounds: They fertilize the soil, improve water storage and ensure better soil ventilation.
3. Save your food before it goes off. Got garlic that’s sprouting? Then cut off the green sprouts and add these to your next meal. Lettuce leaves wilting? Place the head of lettuce with the root in some water, and it will be given a new lease of life. And you may even be able to get something more out of seeds, such as here with an avocado seed.
4. You don’t necessarily need a garden to make use of compost. You can also use this super nutritious soil for your potted plants in your kitchen or on your balcony. Mix soil, food waste (but not meat or fish!), torn-up newspaper, twigs or other plant waste in a plastic container with a lid. Give everything a bit of a mix every day and voilà, you’ve got compost.
We love how creatively our customers use our products. There are (almost) no Limits to Your Imagination! But please note that the IKEA guarantee and the return policy for IKEA products shall become void if they are changed to the degree that they can no longer be resold or used for their original purpose.
Interior designer: Marianne Eriksson
Photography: Micke Persson
Text: Vanessa Algotsson
