The way I see it is that many scraps are scraps because of the texture. They are either difficult to eat, unappealing to eat as is, or sometimes made into scraps for use in other ways. Kinda like a GI peeling potatoes by slicing six chunks off, on on each side, leaving a block of potato that is less than the amount of potato with on the skins. Of course, there were two reasons for this. One was to get through that huge pile of potatoes far more quickly and easily, and the other was so there was plenty of starch that could be used to make alcohol for drinking.
Anyway, a bit off track there.
Of course, some scraps really are not really good to eat. An apple peeling is usually removed because someone does not like the texture, it is too difficult to bite through, ruins the look of a dish, and so on. Whereas the peeling of an orange, while some zest can be obtained from it, the whole peel tends to be far to bitter to be included in food.
If a system is set up so collecting and storing edible scraps separately from inedible scraps, intentionally setting it up to make it simple, easy, and effective, then the use of the edible parts is easier and more likely to be done, and the inedible parts can still be used for what they normally would be since they are separate and there are no things in the batch that would ruin the effectiveness for whatever it is to be used.
Doing things haphazardly or makeshift tends to reduce the willingness to follow through with it. All that being said, if the scraps are easily gathered and stored, I think it much more likely they will be used. And I really like the idea that a few have suggested of keeping them until there is a sufficient quantity to justify drying them, and then pulverizing them into a powder that can be used for various things. If things with high starch content, such as potatoes, are processed separately, the powder can be used to thicken soups and stews, or added to help stretch foods low in carbs.
Also, simply for storage purposes, the non-edible scraps that can be used for various purposes, can also be dried and pulverized, and then the much smaller volume can be stored without taking up so much space or simply rotting. It can still be added to compost, things like citrus added to water, a bit of dish detergent, and used in a spray bottle as a simple and natural bug repellent for certain little creatures you do not want hanging around.
Like many, I already use many fresh scraps to make my various broths and stocks. I wind up throwing away the remains after I strain the liquid as I do not have a way to use it. I wish I did.
I guess I really have not added much to this thread, but it is a very good one, bringing out a bunch of great ideas.
Just my opinion.
