Photo: Flickr/Hazel Owen

In 2010, more than 34 million tons of food waste were generated, and only three percent of that waste was diverted from landfills for composting, according to the EPA.  The fact that some of that food waste becomes useful compost is a positive thing, but what if we told you there are ways you can save food scraps from landfills without composting them, and you could save money on your grocery bill at the same time?

If you take a minute and look at which food scraps you’re throwing away, this is possible. It turns out some fruits and vegetables can be regrown from scraps, which means you can grow your own food without starting it from seeds. You won’t need to buy as much produce either, and in the meantime you may have some interesting houseplants.

General Things to Keep In Mind

There are three main ways you can grow plants from scraps, according to the book “Don’t Throw it, Grow It!” by Deborah Peterson, which explains how to grow dozens of windowsill plants from your leftovers. Depending on the plant, you can start growing it in water, pebbles or soil, and most plants will eventually need to be transferred to soil. The climate you live in will likely dictate whether you can grow your plants indoors or outdoors.

The Green Thumb Gardener, a website that offers garden guides and tips, also suggests you use high quality organic produce, which may be more likely to grow into new plants.

Click through to see what you can grow with your food scraps.