Calling all caffeine fiends… We bring you 7 easy things to do with used coffee grounds that aren’t compost.
If you’re addicted to caffeine, chances are you have heaps of spent coffee grounds. And even if you don’t, there are literally millions of tonnes being sent to landfill each year by cafes around the world.
But what can you do with coffee grinds except for chuck them in your compost? So many things! Here are seven easy things to do with used coffee grounds that aren’t compost (that said, compost is a great place for them!).
7 ways to use spent coffee grounds
1. Fertiliser
Coffee grinds sprinkled around your garden can be a good slow release fertiliser. Over time they will slowly break down, providing nutrients for plants.
Just remember there is some evidence they suppress seedlings, so it’s best to use them to fertilise plants that are already established.
2. Boost blueberries
Blueberries love acid soil, and coffee is slightly acidic. Thus, coffee can be a handy addition around blueberry plants to adjust soil PH. We give ours an annual coffee boost to fertilise and ensure soil PH stays low.
To find out everything you need to know about growing blueberries, get your hands on an issue of Pip Magazine #17.
3. Coffee grounds body scrub
Coffee makes an enlivening, exfoliating ingredient in a natural DIY body scrub! Find our simple recipe and video tutorial here.
4. Grow mushrooms
Mushrooms do grow in spent coffee grounds! You can make your own DIY mushroom growing kit by innoculating sterilised grounds with mycelium.
If you’re keen to get into ‘shroom growing, check out Issue #3 of Pip Magazine.
5. Natural dye
Coffee is a very easy natural dye to use. And, “surprise, surprise”, creates a range of shades of browns.
If you’re starting out with natural dyeing, it’s best to start with yarn or silk. To find out more about natural dyeing yarn check out our guide.
6. Cook with it
Zero waste chefs get ready! Yes, you can use grounds in your cooking. They impart a more subtle coffee kick than your morning cup of joe, and add texture and roughage to your baking.
As well as the obvious sweets, coffee grounds can also be used to tenderise meat and fish, and as a crusty rub for steaks.
7. Clean with it
Coffee can be used as an abrasive agent to help scrub any item you might use steel wool on. But, unfortunately coffee can stain. So it’s best to stick to cast-iron or stainless steel surfaces that won’t absorb the colour.
