Coffee zero waste, how to use coffee grounds

For stimulation, pleasure, health, company - the reasons we drink coffee are many. Around two million cups of the beverage are consumed worldwide every day. However, not everyone knows that coffee's life doesn't have to end after drinking it.

What would you say if you heard that coffee grounds could be really helpful and find their... second life? Meet coffee zero waste - our short guide to help you use coffee grounds in an eco-friendly and creative way!

Zero waste - what it really means

Before we move on to coffee tricks, it is worth reminding ourselves what zero waste is. It is a way of life that involves producing as little waste as possible. The aim is to reduce waste, recycle and reuse things that usually end up in the bin. Zero waste is a philosophy that helps to look after the planet, reduce the amount of waste in our homes and contribute to protecting the environment.

Six coffee inspirations for using coffee grounds in our homes

1. natural plant fertiliser

Coffee grounds are a real treasure trove for your plants! They contain valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy plant growth. How do you use them?

• Sprinkle grounds on the soil in pots or in the garden. Plants such as roses, tomatoes, berries or flowers love coffee fertiliser.
• The grounds improve the structure of the soil and help retain moisture, giving plants better conditions for growth.
• In addition, coffee repels some pests, such as slugs and ants. It is a natural protection for your garden

2. coffee scrub

If you dream of smooth and healthy-looking skin, coffee grounds could be your new best friend. A coffee scrub is a great way to cleanse your skin and improve its condition.

How do you make such a scrub? It's easy! Mix coffee grounds with olive oil or honey and gently massage into the skin. Such a scrub will help remove dead skin cells, improve circulation and give your skin a glow. Plus, the caffeine in coffee can act as a natural way to reduce cellulite!

3. odour absorber

Coffee grounds are an excellent odour absorber. You can use them in several places in your home:

• Put the bowl of dry grounds in the fridge to get rid of the odours of the products stored in it.
• Coffee grounds are also great for dealing with odours in shoes or wardrobes. Simply place small bags of coffee in these areas to neutralise unpleasant odours.

Coffee grounds will make your home smell fresh!

4. environmentally friendly cleaning agent

Coffee grounds can also help with cleaning! Thanks to their fine texture, they act as a natural cloth that will remove dirt. Simply moisten the grounds with water and wipe the soiled surface with them. You can use them to clean your sink, dishes or kitchen worktop. The grounds also have antibacterial properties, making them a great natural cleaner.

5. natural colouring

Coffee grounds have an intense brown colour, so they can be a natural dye for fabrics, Easter eggs or paper. How to do it. Pour hot water over the grounds and leave them to soak for a few hours, then drain and use for dyeing. This is an eco-friendly method that is safe for both us and our environment.

6. grounds compost

By adding grounds to your compost heap, you can speed up the composting process. In this way, after a few months you will have a valuable fertiliser that you can use in your garden.

Grounds for special tasks

The suggestions listed above make it possible to use this valuable product on a small, domestic scale. Approximately 9 000 tonnes of grounds are produced in Europe every day, so the potential for their use is much greater. The potential of grounds is being recognised by scientists and entrepreneurs exploring various innovative ideas for their use. Here are some possibilities for using coffee on a larger scale:

1. construction materials

Ewelina Kłosek-Wawrzyn, PhD, from the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, is working under a university grant on the use of coffee grounds to create a raw material for the production of porous ceramic materials with thermal insulating properties.

2. biosurfactants

Startup Ekobean has developed a method to use coffee grounds to produce bio-based raw materials: coffee oil, polylactide (PLA), antioxidants, lignin and protein additives. These green raw materials can be used in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and packaging.

3. footwear

Finnish brand Rens launched shoes a few years ago using recycled plastic and coffee grounds. Of the 460g weight of a pair of shoes, up to 300g is coffee, while the remaining material is plastic from six plastic bottles. It is also worth knowing that Finland ranks first in the world in terms of the amount of coffee consumed (per capita), so the potential for such projects there is huge.

Instead of throwing away coffee grounds, let's start using them in creative and eco-friendly ways. With coffee zero waste ideas, we can not only take care of our planet, but also enjoy the many benefits that coffee grounds give us! From fertilisers to natural cosmetics to ceramic materials or shoes, coffee grounds have many uses.

Remember that every small change in daily habits can make a big contribution to building a sustainable world.