Do you simply throw coffee grounds in the trash after brewing them? Your leftovers don’t have to go to waste! There are several ways to repurpose coffee grounds after brewing them, and a number of these methods require minimal effort on your part. Plus, by recycling your coffee grounds instead of throwing them away, you can benefit yourself and the environment.
Ready to learn how? Read on for a few easy ideas to implement at home:
What Are Coffee Grounds Good For?
In addition to creating everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage, coffee grounds are beneficial for both plants and people. Depending on your interests and the amount of effort you’d like to put in, you can try the following methods:
- Using Coffee Grounds as Mulch – Coffee grounds make excellent mulch for gardens for a variety of reasons. Specifically, the dark hue visually highlights the vibrant colors of the plants, and the grounds contain chemicals that provide essential nutrition for optimal growth.
- Using Coffee Grounds for Grass – If you don’t have a garden at home, you can still use coffee grounds to improve your exterior landscape. Just sprinkle leftover coffee over your lawn to give your grass an extra boost.
- Using Coffee Grounds in Compost – Wondering how to compost coffee grounds? If you already maintain a compost pile or bin, all you need to do is add your used coffee. Composted grounds require no additional care, and they can be used in both basic and more complex composting systems.
- Using Coffee Grounds for Your Skin – Coffee grounds are a natural exfoliant, making them well-suited for use in body scrubs. Simply mix ground coffee and coconut oil to create a hydrating exfoliant that will leave your skin glowing.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Plants?
Coffee grounds are good for most plants, although some varieties benefit more from the compounds in leftover grounds than other types do. The most prevalent and beneficial chemical in leftover coffee grounds is nitrogen, which plants need to produce their green leaves. Therefore, plants that have a lot of leaves are most likely to benefit from coffee.
If you grow flowering plants that have little foliage, putting too much coffee into your soil could actually be counterproductive. An overabundance of nitrogen can cause the plants to grow more leaves than they should, which may reduce how much energy goes into producing flowers.
Which Plants Benefit from Coffee Grounds?
Not sure where to put your coffee grounds in your garden? All of the following plants can benefit from the nitrogen in leftover coffee:
- Grass
- Green shrubs
- Trees
- Blueberries
- Root vegetables
Another way to determine whether coffee grounds will be good for a plant is to check what type of soil the plant prefers. Those that do well in acidic soil are best-suited for coffee grounds, as the beans have a high acid content.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Skin?
Coffee grounds are excellent for dry skin, but they shouldn’t be mistaken as a moisturizer. The rough edges of the grounds act as an exfoliant that scrapes away dirt and dead skin, allowing lotions and other products to penetrate the skin more easily. For this reason, coffee grounds should be combined or followed by a moisturizer whenever they’re used as a scrub.
What Can You Do with Keurig® Cup Coffee Grounds?
If you use single-serve coffee pods, you’re in luck: You can still recycle your coffee grounds with any of the methods mentioned above. Leftover Keurig® cup coffee grounds can be used for your garden, lawn, other plants, or your skin. All you have to do is remove the grounds from the pod before recycling them.
The Recycle a Cup® cutter makes removing leftover coffee from Keurig® pods quick and easy. With just one turn of the wrist, the device separates the components of the coffee pod, allowing you to remove the grounds and filter so that you can compost or recycle them.
Are Coffee Pods Recyclable?
If you use a Keurig or similar machine, you’ve likely wondered, “Are coffee pods recyclable?” Most cups can be recycled once they’re separated into various components. The foil cover can usually be sent to a local facility, while the plastic cup may need to be disposed of at a regional facility if your local plant does not process that type of plastic.
Are Coffee Filters Compostable?
Coffee filters generally aren’t recyclable, but many can be composted. Plain, unbleached filters can be thrown in your pile or bin without any additional care. Bleached options can also be added to your composting setup, though some people worry about bleach leaching into their soil.
Ready to Start Reusing Your Leftover Coffee? Recycle a Cup® Can Help
If you drink coffee on a regular basis, recycling your grounds can make a significant impact on the environment over time. Start reusing your coffee grounds today, and you’ll make the world a better place tomorrow.
For more information about reusing coffee grounds or the Recycle a Cup® cutter, contact us today!
