Whether cooked scrambled, over-easy, hardboiled, sunny side up, or some other style, most people get some of their protein from eggs. Eggs are a good source of protein and are viewed by many as one of the healthiest foods people can eat. It is estimated that in 2018, Americans consumed nearly 280 eggs per person!
However, that massive amount of egg consumption also results in enormous eggshell waste. Most of these end up in the trash bin, where they will take up space in local landfills. However, people should know that many beneficial things can be done regarding recycling eggshells. So, let’s take a look at how recycling eggshells for many uses can be fun and environmentally friendly!
Table of Contents
Utilization of Egg Shell Waste
Cool Uses For Eggshells
- Face Scrub
- Crafts With Children
- Drain Cleaner
- Keep Snails Off Outdoor Garden
- Fertilizer
- Bird Feed
Eggshell Waste Recycling
When it comes to eggshell waste recycling, the best place to recycle used eggshells is probably the garden. This is because eggshells can be used for fertilizer, organic pest control, and more. Start by collecting eggshells, cleaning them, and placing the used eggshells into a bowl. Preferably, eggs should be placed in an open container where they can air dry. Once the container is full, crush the dried-out eggs into tiny bits with a handheld kitchen tool such as a wooden spoon or blender. After that, it is time to take the eggshells to the garden!
Eggshell Fertilizer
Once you are ready to use the eggshells as compost for your garden, you will first take the pieces of eggshell and till them into the soil. Eggshells are composed of calcium carbonate, so by tilling the crushed pieces into the dirt, you can introduce the mineral to the soil healthily and organically. One of the benefits of eggshells in a garden is that they can reduce acidity in the soil while also providing an easy method to aerate a garden.
How long does an egg take to decompose in a garden? Eggshell decomposition varies depending on several factors, but most people can expect the calcium carbonate material to be broken down in a home garden within a couple of months.
Eggshell Powder Benefits
Eggshell waste recycling in the garden is a great way to turn potential trash into helpful compost, but what can non-gardeners do with used eggshells? The answer is that eggshells can be utilized as an organic calcium supplement. As people age, their teeth can weaken, and their bones become brittle, so it is important to monitor calcium intake. The good news is that eggshell powder can be beneficial as a supplement. Here are the steps to using eggshell calcium to help prevent osteoporosis and other calcium-related health issues.
- Sanitize eggshells by baking them at 350F (15 minutes)
- Grind eggshells down (or blend) until they are a fine powder
- Place eggshell powder into capsules for consumption
Conclusion
Recycling eggshells in a garden or using the ground-up eggshell pieces as a calcium supplement are just two cool ways people are taking potential trash and turning it into a healthy alternative. Every little thing people can do to reduce waste can have a positive impact on the environment and personal health with the help of eggshell recycling!