Are you guilty?

Did you know that coffee grounds and waste pipes don’t mix? Used coffee grounds block pipes, particularly if you add a bit of fat from your Sunday roast into the mix too!

Coffee grounds are far too precious to just throw away, here’s some great ways to benefit even more from your cup of coffee/nectar:

• Sprinkle used grounds around plants for a great slow-release nitrogen fertiliser, the grounds are also a great way to condition the soil.
• Add to compost piles to increase the nitrogen balance and don’t worry about the coffee filters they’ll break down in next to no time. If you have a wormery those worms love a bit of caffeine.
• Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.
• Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee to repel pests.

I’ve tried all of the above, I can’t say from personal experience whether the following work!

• After drying the grounds thoroughly, add them to an old stocking. Tie off the ends and then use in cupboards and your refrigerator as an odour absorber.
• Rubbing your hands with used coffee grounds will remove strong smells such as onion or fish. (And be really messy!)
• Grounds can be used as a scourer for greasy pots and pans. (As above! Messy or what?)
• Dry out the coffee grounds in a warm (not hot) oven; then add equal weight of fresh coffee grounds and then use that mix to create another brew. (I’m afraid I like my coffee far too much to be brewing anything less than perfection.)

I have a red Grindenstein knock box at home, well worth it for that professional barista feel.

Thanks to Sustainable Enterprises and Green living tips for some of the ideas.