Coffee Compost
People love coffee: In some countries, average consumption per person per year totals more than 10 kilograms – that’s nearly a thousand cups per year!
When composted, all those coffee grounds make a great source of slow-release nitrogen, or can be diluted with water for a fast-acting liquid fertilizer. Worms love the grounds too, so they can be added to vermicompost systems or directly to the garden to naturally promote worm activity. The acidity can also help correct alkaline soils while simultaneously promoting larger plants and blooms. The beans shouldn’t get all the glory, though – wet filters also degrade quickly when composted, but unfortunately end up in the trash all too often.
But there’s an easy solution: reusable coffee filters. Even better than being merely reusable, filters made from hemp are also sustainably-sourced. Some even insist that hemp fibers contribute to a better-tasting cup of coffee, too. The filter simply needs to be rinsed after each pot is brewed for a long-lasting, durable alternative to conventional paper filters. And at less than $10 a pop, reusable hemp filters are good for your wallet, too. –Holly Young
If you like Coffee Compost, you might also like:
GO GREEN TIP #59: Reuse Coffee Grounds
GO GREEN TIP #87: How To Compost At Home
KIDS CORNER: Composting
