Home Uses for Peanut Shells

Peanuts can be a super food. They are nutritious, delicious and a staple of many childrens' lunch boxes. If you've been making homemade peanut butter and shelling those legumes yourself, you've probably been confronted with piles of shells. Instead of throwing those shells away and filling up landfills, you can save money by utilizing those shells around your home and garden.

Charcoal

Peanut shells do not burn easily and retain a lot of heat, much like charcoal. Some industries have started collecting peanut shells and similar waste products to create alternatives to coal. You can do something similar at home. Collect and store your peanut shells in a dry area. When you have several grocery bags full, use them to supplement (or in place of) your charcoal brickets the next time you barbecue.

Compost

For beautiful flowers or lush fruits and leafy vegetables, using compost instead of fertilizers can save you money and is better for the environment. Compost returns to the soil essential nutrients that plants need to grow and thrive. You can easily include peanut shells into your compost mixture.

Pet Litter

Peanut shells can be fairly absorbent. Coarsely grind up your peanut shells in a food processor. Mix the ground shells with shredded newsprint and baking soda and use as pet litter.

References

• CNN: Peanut shells for fuel
• Composting 101: What to Compost
• Ohio State University: Absorbancy of Peanut Shells