Recycle Coffee Grounds

Don’t toss out those used coffee grounds! Below are seven ways to recycle coffee grounds and protect the environment.

1. Refrigerator and freezer deodorizer: Place ground in a small cup and in the fridge or freezer much as you would baking soda.

2. Organic fertilizer: They would be considered a "green" or nitrogen source. C/N ratio is about 20:1. Use coffee grounds as a plant fertilizer. Sprinkle the grounds around the base of the plant. They can also be sprinkled directly on your lawn. Roasted coffee is fairly acidic, but it appears that almost all of the acid is water-soluble and is extracted during brewing.

3. Compost input: Coffee grounds smell good and they are one of the few sources of nitrogen and potassium that is widely available year-round to people in urban and suburban areas. They absorb and hold moisture, which is critical to the compost pile. The grounds should account for no more than 25 percent of the composting matter and a teaspoon of lime or wood for each 5 pounds of grounds can be added to balance out acidity levels.

4. Wood Stain: Allow them to soak in a small amount of water overnight (or hot water for a shorter period), and then drain off. The amount of water you use will determine how dark the stain is.

5. Furniture scratch remover: Use a Q-tip and coffee grounds to fill in scratches on wooden furniture. 

6. Watercolor paint: Steep grounds in hot water and get ready to paint.

7. Face mask: An egg white mixed with 1/4 cup grounds makes a great exfoliating facial.

Recycling your coffee grounds helps you go green because...

It reduces waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill and limits your reliance on chemical fertilizers.