Freshly squeezed orange juice is a delicious treat. And if you’re like most people, then you probably throw away the leftover peels. But what if you could make something useful out of those peels?

The “Feel the Peel” device, developed by Italian design firm Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), uses discarded orange peels to print bioplastic cups. It then serves freshly squeezed orange juice in those cups.

Drink fresh orange juice from an orange peel cup

In a press release about the project, CRA described their innovative creation as a 3.1-meter (m) tall machine with a dome that can hold up to 1,500 oranges. When you order a cup, an orange slides down and gets halved and juiced.

The peels are dropped into a container at the bottom of the machine and are then dried, ground and mixed with polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polyester made from renewable resources, to create a bioplastic. This material is then heated and melted so that the 3D printer inside the machine can print the cups.

After a customer finishes his or her drink, the cup can be recycled. It could be broken down and re-printed into a new cup to keep the concept of zero waste going.

“The principle of circularity is a must for today’s objects,” CRA said in their press release. They added that they tried to demonstrate that idea in a very tangible way by developing a device that shows how oranges can be used well beyond their juice. CRA said they are considering making clothes from orange peels as well.

The machine is still a prototype and may need modifications to maximize efficiency. Currently, it takes roughly half an hour to print one cup made of orange peels. This limits how many potential customers the machine can serve. Plus, 3D printing technology isn’t considered food-safe yet. And while it is biodegradable, PLA must still be handled properly as it decomposes best in a controlled composting environment.

Other uses for leftover orange peels

Unless you’re employed in the design industry or have the luxury of buying a 3D printing machine, chances are you can’t make your own orange peel cups at home. But there are still lots of things you can do with peels.

Below are eight ways you can use your leftover orange peels at home:

• Freshen up your fridge – Orange peels are good for eliminating sour smells in your refrigerator. They can also be used with salt. Salt will help absorb odor and moisture inside the refrigerator, while the natural citrus scent of the peel will freshen up the air inside the refrigerator.
• Clean wood surfaces – You can also use orange peels to wipe wood surfaces and wooden furniture. To make a chemical-free cleaner, fill a jar halfway with orange peels. Add vinegar until the jar is full. Let it soak for about two weeks. Strain and remove the peels, then pour into a spray bottle.
• Polish stainless steel – The natural oils of orange peels can easily remove water stains on steel. Polish them with orange peels as you would wipe down wood surfaces.
• Freshen up your closet – Just like your refrigerator, your closet can smell musty. Get rid of nasty odors in your closet by putting orange peels in an old sock or pantyhose and leaving that in your closet. Replace the orange peels once they have dried out.
• Condition your hair – Orange peels still contain vitamin C. This nutrient stimulates the production of collagen, the protein that gives your hair and skin structure. To make your own DIY conditioner, blend orange peels with some fresh juice. Apply this to your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Remove sink odors – Bits of food and gunk that go down the kitchen sink can foul it up fast. Get rid of foul odors by tossing orange peels down your garbage disposal.
• Repel mosquitoes – Orange peels contain a chemical called limonene, which is toxic to mosquitoes. If you have a mosquito problem, just place orange peels around your yard or by your windowsill.
• Build a fire – The natural oils present in orange peels are flammable. Plus, the peels themselves burn a lot slower than twigs or paper. So if you need to fire up the grill fast, use orange peels.

Going completely zero waste might be easier said than done. But you can start by recycling your fruit peels into useful household items instead of chucking them in the garbage bin.

Sources:

WakingTimes.com

RD.com