2 of 17

Write now Article Tools

The humble egg shell that is tossed away in the garbage actually has so many more uses than people would think. Scientific studies into waste have revealed new and innovative ways in which the humble egg shell can be used for the following:

*The paper industry
*Fuel
*Gardening Compost
*Food for cattle

Paper Industry

The paper industry found that by adding the eggshells in the process of paper-making, what they were producing was a paper with more luster and the calcium carbonate added strength to produced paper making it more substantial. It is no big surprise that nature helps nature, and since the paper manufacture depends principally on trees, the element of eggshells to the mix has meant that paper producers worldwide are able to improve their techniques.

The project is in its infancy though results have been encouraging using the eggshell in the paper coating to enhance it's strength and feel.

Fuel

Calcium carbonate is very absorbent the scientists are also working on ways to use this absorption to re-cycle eggs in a very unique way, as a heat source. Knowing that the world may one day depend upon alternative sources of heat, the humble eggshell comes into it's own in studies using the absorption of the shells to produce hydrogen. Although it is not believed that eggshells can solve the fuel problem, their contribution will mean that part of the fuel needs in America can be produced from eggs that would otherwise add to the stockpile of waste products that fill landfills.

Compost

Eggshells have been boasted about by gardeners for years as a viable addition to composting. They are right and the calcium carbonate is valuable for growth, adding richness to the compost heap. Here, the easiest method is the break down the shells before adding them, since the process of composting will prove to be shorter.

Food for cattle.

Eggshells have been used in crushed form to add bulk to cattle food for many years, though with scientists finding more uses this practice is getting lessened. What was found was that the egg shells provided essential roughage needed in cattle.

IN THE HOME

In the home there are many uses for eggshells other than compost, and after eating hard boiled eggs, the empty shells can be used for entertainment purposes, painting the eggs with faces and having family competitions to see who can paint the best. Egg shells give a great surface for painting, and if left whole can be painted after boiling and before eating. Interestingly enough by introducing natural elements like onion peel into the water at the time of boiling, the color of the shell changes to a bright yellow, and it can indeed provide hours of entertainment for kids to compete in painting eggs.

For the craft lover.

For many years, the art of making egg boxes has been a worldwide one, where the egg is blown, (or the actual material within the egg sucked out, and the egg carefully cut in two pieces and left to dry out. The egg is hinged together, and lined with beautiful velvets, and the outside beaded to create an imitation Faberge. The craft is an established one and all the items needed can be bought from good craft shops.

Eggshells are part of nature, part of our lives, and thinking that the egg is finished when the last little bit of white is eaten is a great under-estimate of the uses to which these eggshells can be put. Next time you look at an empty shell, think big, and recognize the value of the eggshell to world science, growth and entertainment, and don't be too quick to discard it.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Uncommon uses for eggshells?
We want to hear your view. Write now!