Do you throw away carrot ends, onion skins or any other produce deemed unworthy when cooking?

Here are 5 reasons why you need to stop doing that – immediately.

1. It's wasteful

In a time where we need to be more conscious than ever of our consumption and food waste, it's downright irresponsible. Did you know it takes years for produce to decompose in a landfill?

2. You're throwing away a lot of flavour 

Grab a bowl or Tupperware container and everything you've discarded while cooking – throw it into a stock pot with salt, spices, chiles – whatever you fancy.

After a few hours, you've got yourself an amazing homemade stock you can use for soups and sauces. 

3. Make a clean-out-the-fridge "hobo stew"

You never know when those scallion ends might actually come in handy or when you've run out of time to go to the grocery store. Throw it all in a pot and you have yourself a hearty, healthy meal!

Not into soup? Whip up a quick salad with what you might have deemed as waste, and delight in your resourcefulness. 

4. Homemade stocks take your pasta sauces to the next level

Have you ever wondered why restaurant sauces always seem to taste so much better? Of course they likely use far more butter and salt then you'd care to be privy to, but they also use reductions and stock for added depth of flavour.

Add some of that frozen stock you made from your produce waste to your next pasta sauce, and let it reduce for an hour (give or take) and you'll be shocked at how much better it tastes. 

5. Every small action goes a long way

We tend to be apathetic and subscribe to the notion that as individuals our actions don't make a difference. This couldn't be farther from the truth.

Start small, and be cognizant of your food waste. A little goes a long way. 

What do you do with your produce waste? Let us know in the comments below!