Economical and delicious, eggs have been the basis of our diet since prehistoric times. However, we waste our pods every day. A little recycling lesson.
There are a thousand ways to cook eggs as an omelette, soft-boiled, poached, scrambled or simply fried. And when we break its white or beige shell, we throw it in our household waste without asking too many questions. They are, however, very useful, and the German philosopher Theodor W. Adorno’s quote could not have been more appropriate for them. “Museums preserve our past, recycling preserves our future.” Hoping to one day live in the world we dream of, transforming unexpected things like eggshells will become a part of our daily lives. Might as well start now.
In the video, the MIA clip in favor of recycling
Alexandra Berreu, chief composer of the Alexa company and its strawberry company, is used to recycling, but not always. In 2018, he has been a chocolate confectioner for more than 15 years, but a walk in the woods with his three-year-old son “will change his life”. Armed with a garbage bag, he offers her to pick up the trash they encounter along the way, then plans to enroll her in a recycling facility. “I couldn’t find it. So I decided to specialize and set up my own waste reduction workshops.” Volunteer work, numerous training courses, a master compositor’s degree and later the creation of his own company, he now helps individuals and groups recycle their waste. She gives us 6 easy and useful tips for using her eggshells wisely.
Preparation of shells
Eggshell contains many minerals. “in them we find calcium, magnesium, carbonate or even sulfate.” Packed with essential virtues for the body’s development, they offer a range of unfathomable possibilities, whether at home or in nature. But first of all, it is necessary to prepare them. And for that, dry them in the open air for several days. The most impatient can also use the residual heat of the oven after cooking.
How to make a fried egg?
After they are ready, they should be crushed. “For almost all recipes involving eggshells, you have to reduce them or they can take years to break down. It can be done with a mortar, robot, hand or even a glove,” explains Alexandra Berru. And for those who are easily discouraged by this step. “We can make it an activity for kids.”
Do your laundry
When your clothes are looking dull, eggshells are there to restore their shine. “They say you can crush the husks and put them in tights or a well-tied piece of cloth, which you then add to the drum. For my part, I find it’s best to powder them before adding them directly to the laundry. This is not what will pollute our waters.”
Clean your dishes
Water, soap and a few eggshells. here’s everything you need to make your dishes shine. “You just have to grind the peels into a powder and mix it with warm water and washing up liquid.” Natural abrasive for shiny dishes. A little extra? This mixture cleans your pipes along the way.
How to make soft boiled eggs
Enrich the compost
Before we begin, a reminder shot is needed. “Compost is not a garbage can, a rotting box or a landfill,” remembers Alexandra Beru. Even today, there are many prejudices about this practice, despite all its benefits for the planet. “We know that fruit and vegetables are 85% water and unfortunately, household waste is incinerated in the Paris region. However, burning water requires a lot of energy. This is why fertilizer is necessary. To make it rich and fertile, eggshells are ideal. Just throw them in, crushed or powdered, and remember to mix the compost well so it retains all its moisture without smelling bad.
In this video, the golden rules of going zero waste
Fertilize the soil
What the planet bestows upon us, we must give back to it. And you don’t need to have compost at home to do this. Once your eggshells have dried and then turned into flakes or powder, Alexandra Berru strongly recommends putting this compost at the base of trees during nature walks. “We can put them in our nurseries, in our vegetable gardens, in our plants, in parks… Wherever there is soil, they will enrich it.”
Hunting for crawling pests
Slugs, snails and other insects cause damage in vegetable gardens. To care for its fruits, vegetables and plants, it is necessary to catch them gently and ecologically. Eggshells can be used after rough grinding due to their sharp edges which form a natural barrier and slow them down.
Prepare the seedlings
Another tip for green fingers. Nutrient rich and natural, eggshell is definitely an ideal medium for sowing. “We take the shell cut in half and make a small hole in the base to drain the water. The advantage is that you can plant the seedling with the bark directly in the ground.” A much preferable alternative to using a yogurt pot or plastic tray.
How to cook boiled eggs
Source: Le Figaro
