- Green Lifestyle
Can, may, should coffee grounds go in the compost bin?
It’s actually kind of funny, this question about the compost bin for used coffee grounds…
Barbara Beiertz
Used coffee grounds are 100% organic material (at least if it is organic coffee, like Mount Hagen) and biodegradable. They can of course go in the compost bin or on the compost heap. Also in the filter paper or in the pad – which is basically a sealed filter paper. So, the actual question is: Should used coffee grounds end up in the compost bin?
No, used coffee grounds are far too valuable for the trash.
Used coffee grounds are all-rounders in the garden (“You do not need a green thumb if you have used coffee grounds!”), they fertilize and repel snails and other crawlers. They are a secret beauty weapon (“How good is this…?”). They help against unpleasant odors (e.g. Chucks that have been worn all summer), they can be used as a scouring agent for pans, grills and the like. And with a little skill, you can even use them to hide scratches on dark wooden furniture: Simply moisten the coffee grounds a little and apply to the scratch with a cotton swab. The grooves are filled by the coffee and the oil it contains then seals the whole thing.
What’s most important is, that you always make sure to dry the used coffee grounds well, because they mold easily – and nobody wants that. Simply spread them out on a cloths or sheet of paper and leave them to dry on the windowsill, the radiator, or the like – and then: Use them instead of throwing them away.
