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Can You Reuse Coffee Grounds? Plus Ways to Use Used Coffee Grounds

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August 24, 2023 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment

Uncover the eco-friendly potential of reusing coffee grounds in our comprehensive guide. Explore the question can you reuse coffee grounds and dive into a variety of ingenious ways to repurpose them, from gardening and cleaning to crafting and more.

coffee beans and coffee grounds on table with text can you reuse coffee grounds

Did you know that six million tons of used coffee grounds end up in the landfill every year? That’s a lot of waste but the worst part is that waste is having very real impacts on our environment.

Coffee grounds contain compounds that can make the soil more acidic. In landfills, this can create an acidic liquid that can damage the surrounding soil.

Like with other waste in the landfills coffee also creates greenhouse gases while it decomposes in the landfill. And don’t forget about all the single-serving coffee pods that are also ending up in landfills and will never decompose.

This doesn’t mean you need to ditch your coffee but it does mean we should be looking at different ways we can reduce the impact of our coffee drinking.

So let’s talk about ways we can reduce the impact of used coffee grounds and find ways to make our coffee consumption better for the environment. 

Can You Reuse Coffee Grounds?

In theory, you could reuse coffee grounds if you are doing so very soon after the first cup. However, since coffee grounds are full of moisture they will quickly start to grow mold and bacteria. 

The second use would also be weaker and not taste as good as fresh. For both of these reasons reusing coffee grounds to make another cup of coffee is not a good option. 

Instead, using coffee grounds in other ways is the better option.

Unique Uses for Coffee Grounds

overhead shot of coffee beans and coffee grounds

Reusing coffee grounds for things other than consumption is a great option for reducing our coffee waste. There are a lot of really cool ways you can use ground coffee and often it will help save you money.

Here are 13 creative and practical ways to utilize used coffee grounds:

  1. Natural Exfoliant: Mix coffee grounds with a bit of coconut oil to create an invigorating exfoliating scrub for your lips or body.
  2. Garden Fertilizer: Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients like nitrogen, making them a great addition to your garden soil to promote plant growth.
  3. Compost Enhancer: Incorporate coffee grounds into your compost pile to increase its nitrogen content and accelerate decomposition.
  4. Repel Insects: Scatter coffee grounds around your garden or plant pots to deter pests like ants, slugs, and snails.
  5. Neutralize Odors: Place a small container of dried coffee grounds in your fridge, freezer, or pantry to absorb unwanted odors. You can dry your coffee grounds in the oven.
  6. Cleaning Scrub: Use coffee grounds as an abrasive cleaner for scrubbing surfaces like sinks, cookware, and even the oven.
  7. Hand Deodorizer: Rub coffee grounds on your hands to neutralize stubborn odors like garlic or fish after cooking.
  8. Natural Dye: Use coffee grounds to create a natural dye for fabrics, paper, or even Easter eggs.
  9. Fire Starter: Dry out used coffee grounds and mix them with wax to create DIY fire starters for your fireplace or campfire.
  10. Cat Repellent: Sprinkle coffee grounds around your garden to discourage cats from using it as a litter box.
  11. Hair Treatment: Massage coffee grounds into your scalp while showering to exfoliate and stimulate hair follicles.
  12. Furniture Scratch Repair: Mix coffee grounds with water to create a paste that can help mask scratches on wooden furniture.
  13. De-Icing Agent: Spread coffee grounds on icy surfaces to help melt the ice and provide extra grip.

From beauty routines to gardening and household tasks, used coffee grounds can find new life in a wide range of creative and practical applications. 

Now you can feel a little bit better about all the coffee you are drinking!

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Lisa Sharp

Lisa Sharp is the founder of Green Oklahoma. She is passionate about the environment and improving Oklahoma for future generations. She also writes on her personal blog Retro Housewife Goes Green.
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Latest posts by Lisa Sharp (see all)

  • Can You Reuse Coffee Grounds? Plus Ways to Use Used Coffee Grounds - August 24, 2023
  • Embracing Eco-Friendly School Lunches: A Guide to Waste-Free Lunch Packing - August 9, 2023
  • The Best Reusable Sandwich Bags for Waste-Free Lunches - August 9, 2023
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