Updated
August 23, 2024
2 min read
Looking for team bonding solutions for your team to encourage a sustainable lifestyle? Our workshops and activities involve various types of food waste. Take a look at what food waste we can upcycle across our workshops and activities that are perfect for team building!
Orange peels can be upcycled into a natural scrub by drying and grinding them into a fine powder rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. This powder can then be mixed with sugar or oatmeal for exfoliation, and coconut oil or honey for moisture. The scrub effectively removes dead skin cells and brightens the skin, turning waste into a rejuvenating, eco-friendly skincare product.
Coffee grounds can be upcycled into both soap and scrub, adding natural exfoliation and skin benefits. In soap, they are mixed into a soap base, offering gentle exfoliation, deodorisation, and a circulation boost from the caffeine. For scrubs, coffee grounds are combined with moisturising ingredients like coconut oil or honey, creating an effective exfoliant that removes dead skin cells while hydrating and revitalising the skin. With antioxidant properties, coffee grounds help improve skin texture and tone, making them a versatile, eco-friendly addition to skincare routines.
Okara, the pulp left over from making soy milk or tofu, can be upcycled into delicious, nutritious cookies. Rich in fibre and protein, okara can be used as a substitute for part of the flour in cookie recipes. Simply dry the okara until it reaches a flour-like consistency, then mix it with ingredients like oats, sugar, butter, and eggs to form the dough. You can add flavourings like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or spices to enhance the taste. Baking okara cookies turns a byproduct that might otherwise be discarded into a tasty and eco-friendly snack.
Spent barley grains, a byproduct of brewing beer, can be upcycled into granola by first drying the grains to remove excess moisture. Once dry, the grains can be mixed with oats, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. After combining, the mixture is baked until crispy and golden. The spent grains add a rich, nutty flavour and boost the granola's fibre and protein content, making it a nutritious, waste-reducing snack or breakfast option. This simple process transforms brewing leftovers into a crunchy, wholesome granola.
Fruit peels, such as those from citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, or grapefruits, can be upcycled into an effective, all-natural cleaning solution. Start by collecting the peels and placing them in a jar, then fill the jar with white vinegar, ensuring the peels are fully submerged. Let the mixture sit for about two weeks, allowing the natural oils and acids from the peels to infuse into the vinegar. Afterward, strain the liquid and transfer it to a spray bottle. This homemade cleaning solution is great for cutting through grease, deodorising, and disinfecting surfaces, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical cleaners.
Eggshells can be upcycled into a variety of crafts due to their texture and versatility. Start by thoroughly washing and drying the eggshells, then crush them into small pieces or powder. These crushed eggshells can be used in mosaic art, where they add texture and a unique, rustic look to designs. They can also be incorporated into handmade paper for added texture or used as a natural embellishment in greeting cards and decorations. Additionally, eggshells can be painted and used in decorative ornaments or as components in DIY jewellery projects, providing a creative, eco-friendly way to repurpose kitchen waste.
Food waste can be upcycled into various useful items through innovative processes. Eco-enzymes are created by fermenting food scraps with sugar and water, resulting in a natural cleaning agent for household use. Compost is made by breaking down fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells into nutrient-rich soil, ideal for gardening. Additionally, clay made from food waste involves mixing processed food scraps with clay and other binding agents to create eco-friendly art materials or construction products. These methods transform food waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
Are you planning a sustainability-themed team building activity or event for your team? Looking for a team activity for Sustainability Day or Food Waste Day? Reach us here.
