Did you know that in the UK we consume around 95 million cups of coffee each day, which amounts to around 50,000 tonnes of used coffee grounds each year. Unfortunately, most of these used coffee grounds will get thrown away straight after they have been used and end up in a landfill. What you may not know is that used coffee grounds can be recycled in a variety of different ways which is a far better option than them going to waste. So, whatever your interests there is a chance for you to get involved. Here are our top tips:
Fertilize your Soil
Coffee grounds contain several key nutrients which are required for plant growth, this makes them the perfect fertilizer for your garden. Acid-loving plants such as Azaleas, Lilies and Hydrangeas all thrive off coffee grounds, however, be careful around certain vegetables such as tomatoes which typically don’t react well to them.
To use coffee grounds as a fertilizer, simply mix them into the soil around your plants and you’ll soon see that they wake your plants up just as much as you!
Body Scrub
Granular coffee grounds work great as an exfoliator for your skin. The caffeine acts as a stimulator for your skin cells which helps the skin look heathier while the antioxidant properties encourage a brighter complexion.
To use, mix the grounds well with coconut oil or an oil based product of your choice to create your body scrub which can be used in the shower, leaving you with fresh, radiant skin.
Cleaning
Coffee grounds are a fantastic alternative to harsh chemicals, the abrasive course particles can help lift any build-up on hard to clean surfaces such as cookers, ovens, grills, sinks and more.
To use, sprinkle the used coffee grounds directly over the area you want to clean, then gently scrub away any residue. Once complete, rinse away with clean water. A natural way to get those troublesome surfaces shining like new!
Hair Care
Using multiple hair products over a long period of time can often leave a build-up of residue behind which can mask the hairs natural shine. However, adding coffee grounds to your hair care routine can help restore your hair.
To use, massage the used coffee grounds directly into your scalp in the shower for a few minutes, then rinse well to bring your locks back to life!
Insect Repellent
It goes without saying that we all love coffee, however, did you know that certain pests and insects such as snails, slugs and ants are repelled by it. Therefore, they naturally avoid areas where caffeine is present. For us, this is great news because it means that we can reuse our coffee grounds as a natural insect repellent.
To use, it’s as simple as scattering the used grounds around any plants in the garden you want to protect to keep those little pests away!
Odour Eater
Eliminating odours in the home can be challenging, particularly in areas such as the refrigerator. Used coffee grounds are a useful way to eliminate these as the grounds can absorb the odours from the environment, they are in.
To use, fill a small, open container with the used coffee grounds and place it in the fridge or other areas around the home where needed. Then simply leave the container and let the coffee grounds do the work and keep those unpleasant odours at bay.
Compost
There are many benefits to recycling used coffee grounds, and one of the more common tips is adding the grounds to your compost pile. Doing this can boost the nitrogen, potassium and magnesium levels in the compost, which all plants require to stay healthy.
To use, all you need to do is throw any used coffee grounds on to your compost pile and the next time you use your compost you can guarantee your plants are going to love it!
Remember, many coffee shops are already on board with this so if you’re interested in helping the environment and know of a coffee shop near you, then why not drop by to ask if there are any used coffee grounds available to collect on your next visit and use our tips in this article to recycle them. Or, if you’re a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and not already involved, then why not think about offering used coffee grounds to your customers for free to save on waste! You could create posters around the shop, by the till, post on social media and place the offer on your website to get your customers involved.
With so many opportunities available to recycle used coffee grounds, it’s such a shame for them to go to waste. Let us know if you’ve used our tips, we would love to see your pictures so be sure to tag us in your posts on social media so we can see what you’ve been up to @BridgeValleyBev. In addition, we have created a poster with all our top tips on for you to use – contact us if you’re interested in using our poster around your business!
