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turning scraps into something special.

1 min read • September 20th, 2025

By Sally Barton, Communications Officer, National Nutrition Foundation

Food waste in Australia

Did you know Australia throws away over 7.6 million tonnes of food every year enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground nine times? It’s a staggering figure, and vegetables are among the most commonly wasted foods!

Finding small ways to reduce waste

One thing I really enjoy at home is finding little ways to cut down on waste and make the most of what I already have. Lately, I’ve started a simple habit that saves money and feels surprisingly rewarding, collecting leftover veggie scraps.

Turning scraps into something delicious

Instead of tossing out onion skins, carrot ends, celery leaves, or herb stems, I keep them in a container in the freezer. Once I’ve built up enough, I simmer them down into a delicious homemade vegetable stock. It’s an easy way to stretch ingredients further, and it adds so much flavour to soups, risottos, and sauces!

Giving back to the garden

And the best part? Anything that can’t be used in stock goes straight into my little garden as compost. It feels good knowing those scraps are giving something back, helping my herbs grow strong and healthy so I can use them in future meals.

A rewarding routine

It’s a small routine, but it’s one that makes me feel more connected to the food I prepare and the environment around me. Plus, there’s something really rewarding about turning what could have been “waste” into something nourishing and useful.

About Sally Barton

Communications Officer

Sally is passionate about making health information easy to understand, engaging, and accessible to everyone. With a background in both health promotion and marketing, she knows the power of clear communication in supporting public health.

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