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OTHER USES​ FOR COFFEE GROUNDS (OTHER THAN FERTILISER)

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We are always looking at ways to reduce our waste and be more sustainable. We connect with other local people (such as community gardens, compost collectors, schools, pretty much anyone) who may be able to utilise our coffee grounds and get it out of landfill.

 

We go through around 50kg of coffee each week. From bagging up the coffee grounds in individual 1kg bags and leaving them at the front of our shop for people to collect to big 90L bags full, we allow people to use our coffee grounds for their garden to use as organic fertiliser. 

 

What most people don't know is that coffee grounds have many practical uses around the home and garden (apart from being used as just a fertiliser). Below are other creative uses for used coffee grounds.

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COMPOST

If you’re about to add coffee grounds to your compost piles, restrict it to the range of 20 to 25 percent only. Higher levels than this can suppress beneficial microorganisms, so don’t overdo it. Balance your compost with other organic materials such as residue of grass clippings, dry leaves, woody prunings newspaper, or similar composting materials. You can also add it to worm bins as they love coffee grounds.

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REPELS INSECTS AND PETS

Certain compounds found in coffee, such as caffeine and diterpenes, can be highly toxic to insects. Because of this, you can use coffee grounds to repel bugs. 

 

They are effective at deterring mosquitos, fruit flies and beetles. They may also help keep other pests away too. 

 

To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowl of grounds and sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas. You can also keep pests out of your garden by scattering coffee grounds around your plants. They help create a barrier that slugs and snails do not like to crawl over. 

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REMOVE FLEAS FROM YOUR PETS

Fleas are a common problem in household pets, and treating them can be costly and time-consuming.

 

There are several flea-removal products on the market, but many contain harsh chemicals and can produce unwanted side effects. Luckily, fleas don’t seem to like coffee, and you may want to consider coffee grounds as a natural treatment.

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Simply rub the grounds throughout your pet’s fur after shampooing. Then rinse them off and allow your pet to dry as usual. Some say doing this may also add smoothness and shine to your pet’s coat, but there is little to no research to support either of these claims.

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However, coffee grounds may be less effective than a prescription product, so if your pet has fleas and this treatment does not work, you may want to contact a vet to discuss alternative options. Also, coffee grounds should only be used externally. They can be toxic to dogs if consumed.

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NEUTRALISES ODOURS

Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which helps eliminate a foul-smelling sulfur gas from the air when it’s combined with carbon. In other words, coffee grounds can help absorb and eliminate odors.

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You can place a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer to neutralize odors from spoiled or fragrant foods. You can also fill old socks or pantyhose with coffee grounds and tie them off to make portable air fresheners. Place these in your shoes, gym bag, bedroom drawers, under your car seat or anywhere else that may need some deodorising.

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You can even keep coffee grounds by the sink and use them to scrub your hands after chopping garlic or onions. The grounds will help remove the smell from your hands.

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NATURAL CLEANING SCRUB

Coffee grounds are abrasive and can help remove buildup on hard-to-clean surfaces. They may even help sanitise due to their antibacterial and antiviral properties. If you like to avoid cleaning with chemicals, used coffee grounds might be worth a try. Use them to scour your sink, polish your cookware or clean your grill. Just be careful not to use them on any kind of porous material, as they can cause brown stains.

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EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN

The coarse particles in coffee grounds work as an exfoliating agent to help remove dirt and dead cells from the skin. Simply mix coffee grounds with a little bit of water or coconut oil and scrub them with your hands directly onto your face and body.

 

Coffee grounds can also be mixed with a small amount of honey and used as an exfoliating lip scrub.

 

What’s more, the caffeine in coffee grounds has potent antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from sun damage. It can also increase blood flow, which aids in overall skin health

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HERE ARE SOME LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS WE HELP!

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Are you interested in collecting coffee grounds? Get in touch today!

 

IMPORTANT: To avoid disappointment, please phone ahead as we can’t guarantee that coffee grounds will be available should you arrive unexpectedly. During our peak times, we are unable to cease service to attend to coffee grind collectors. Collection for coffee grounds should be after rush times, ideally after 3pm or by appointment. We are a seven day business.

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