Eggshells aren’t just kitchen waste—they offer a surprising range of uses in both the garden and the home. In outdoor gardening, crushed eggshells are rich in calcium and other minerals, which help support plant health and soil fertility. They can be added to soil, composted, or used as seed starters, making them an eco-friendly option for recycling.

Inside the home, eggshells also shine. Finely crushed shells serve as a mild abrasive cleaner for pots, pans, and stained mugs—no harsh chemicals needed.  They can also be incorporated into craft projects: think mosaics, painted shells, or biodegradable seedling pots made from half shells.

That said, there are caveats. Eggshells need to be properly cleaned and finely ground to release their nutrients in a timely manner; simply scattering large broken shells in a garden may not give plants much benefit.  Additionally, because eggshells are alkaline, they may not be suitable for plants that prefer acidic soil—using them in the wrong context may actually hinder some species.

In short, rather than tossing eggshells into the trash, repurposing them can reduce waste and add value in both gardening and household contexts. They offer another way to reuse what we might normally discard—provided they are used thoughtfully, cleaned, and processed appropriately.