Throwing out coffee grinds is bad for the environment. What can I do with them?

Question

I know someone who said that throwing out coffee grinds is bad for the environment, and they also said you can use them as soil. I don't plant much; I don't have that kind of green thumb. I have no clue what I can do with them. I don't want to throw them out; as I said, it's bad for the environment. What can I do with the coffee grinds if I don't want to plant them?

Answer 1

Coffee grounds used as soil will only work for high acidic plants. Coffee grounds are 100% biodegradable and will not harm the "environment" in any way, shape or form. I'm sure the friend that told you that also drives a Prius and judges all around him/her that haven't completely bought into the global green religion.

Answer 2

i don't think coffee grinds bad for envirement, because then, you should not use it for planting and composing. so that is just a silly thing.

Answer 3

Just throw them in the yard

Answer 4

I compost mine and on occasion I put them around my Gardenias to increase the acidity of the soil for them.

Answer 5

Have your friend define why coffee grounds are in any way bad for the environment?  That's like saying acorns are bad for the environment.

The only problem with coffee grounds is that they do tend to be acidic. That's fine in my area where we have limestone and the ground tends to be overwhelmingly alkaline.  I put them in the garden around some of the acid loving shrubs we have.

Unless you know someone who composts, I don't see any option than to throw them into your garbage as you would your other vegetable waste.

Answer 6

If you can use them as soil conditioner, the soil is the environment so whats wrong with that?  Coffee grounds are nothing more than coffee beans ground up.   The so called "paper" filters are the things that will last a millenium.  Not really paper.   Try using a metal screen instead of those wasteful paper filters.Those are the bad things.      The grounds can be returned to the garbage or in the sewer(one in the same - it will be returned to the earth sooner or later)

Answer 7

They are biodegradable. Its that plastic ag you'll throw them out in you have to pay attention too.

Answer 8

what a odd idea that plant residue is bad for environment.. compost if u want but coffee grounds.?..please find something real to worry about,,.why thumbs down..100% truth..coffee grounds??

Answer 9

U are reading the wrong info. It would be better to recycle it at the metal recyclers. Copper is quite high now.

Answer 10

I've always put my coffee ground on and around my plants.  The make great composting material and the acid is good for the evergreens.

Answer 11

Coffee grounds can be composted.

Answer 12

They are not bad for the enviromnment, but they can help you.

Pour them down the drain in the kitchen and you will never have another clog.

Answer 13

This is what happens when you listen to nut case environmentalist with their heads up their butts.

Coffee grounds are one the best things you can put in the ground, dirt or soil, what ever you call it.  They make great compost.

Answer 14

it is NOT bad to reuse coffee grinds.  likewise, it doesn't really do much harm to throw them away either.  if you throw away your vegtable skins and other composting material, then it isn't much different to toss the coffee grinds.

there is a website that you can read over to see ways to reuse your coffee grinds.  personally, i use them in the garden.

http://www.howtodothings.com/food-drink/...

Answer 15

compost

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 16

I put them in my compost pile. If you have a yard/garden, you might consider starting one, or putting the grounds in your garden directly.

I would think certain plants would benefit more based on the alkalinity/acidity of the grounds.

Answer 17

this may help:

http://www.motherearthsgarden.com/compos...

and here it gives you videos ;)

http://www.simplythrifty.com/how-to-comp...

Answer 18

Well, here are some things you can do with them - but I never heard it was bad to throw them out!!!

http://www.greenstudentu.com/eco_lifesty...