This month we’ve been diverting a significant amount of waste by learning about greywater, shopping in bulk, and cloth grocery bags. How does it feel to be saving money on your water bill and not emptying the garbage as much?  Hopefully these tips are helping you not only reduce but also get better connected to your community.

This week we’re going to look at something you may not have thought about:

egg-crate

Paper egg cartons can be recycled but styrofoam ones can’t.  Even better than recycling- reuse your cartons and get eggs straight from the source!  Most likely your farmers market has an egg vendor and you can bring back cartons for a refill every week.  Not only is this helping support your local economy and reducing waste but you’re able to learn exactly where your eggs are coming from and typically go visit and say thanks to your chickens! Or check our a gathering through your local Weston A. Price chapter where local eggs are often available.

However, not all states legally allow egg crates to be reused but your local vendor will know the laws.  Schools LOVE egg crates for craft projects and many gardeners will use egg crates for seedlings so you can always call a local greenhouse or nursery too.

While you’re enjoying your eggs make sure to give your shells a second life too:

  • Compost them
  • Use them to start seedlings and then plant (boil first for 15 minutes to kill any bacteria)
  • Grind and add to coffee grounds to make less bitter and clearer coffee (boil first)
  • Scatter crushed eggshells in the garden for natural pest control
  • Stick them in the garbage disposal to help break apart food waste and clean drains

What do you use egg shells and egg crates for?  Do you buy your eggs locally? Let me know in the comments below or email me at blog@keeper.com

Happy omelet making!

~Olivia

Make sure to enter below for a free Keeper or Moon Cup of your choice!  We’ll pick the winner on March 31st and will do a new raffle every month of 2015

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and 4 year old son.  She enjoys spending time in the mountains, studying about essential oils, natural remedies and herbs, as well as upcycling/ DIY projects.  Olivia’s family made the move last year towards becoming a Zero Waste household.  They have gotten down to one bathroom sized trashcan a month of garbage but hope to be totally Zero Waste by the end of 2015.

Giveaway rules: Giveaway ends March 31st, 2015 at 10pm EST.  Entries will be accepted until 10pm EST via the Rafflecopter widget.  Winner will be notified via email and winner will be posted on our Facebook page.  Winner shall choose either a Keeper or a Moon cup in either size A or size B.  The winner will have one week to claim prize at which point a new winner shall be chosen.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Like this?  Check out the rest of our Waste Less and Be Green in 2015 series for more tips!

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