Used coffee grounds can be responsibly recycled while also helping the environment. Recycling used coffee grounds requires little effort and means we are adding one less thing to our general garbage.

If you buy organic coffee then the grounds are even more beneficial to the environment because you are not putting chemicals into the earth.

Start recycling used coffee grounds by emptying them into a spare container. If you are concerned about the concentrations of acids in used coffee grounds most of them are released during brewing so they will not harm your plants or flowers.

1. Use grounds in house plants by mixing them with the soil before you water .

2. Sprinkle used grounds around outdoor plants to repel ants and slugs. The granular coffee grounds make it difficult for small insects to walk on the soil therefore the plants have a better chance of not being chewed at and destroyed.

3. Mix grounds into soil when planting a vegetable garden. The used grounds act as fertilizer because of the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.Mix grounds with dried leaves and grass and temper the amount of grounds. Use 25 % used coffee grounds per fertilizing material. Water your garden after applying the grounds or wait for an imminent rainfall.

4. Used coffee grounds make a good fertilizer when diluted in water. Add 1/2 lb. of grounds for every five gallons of water. You can keep this mixture covered outside so that it is the correct temperature for the garden.

5. Dissuade cats from using your lovely garden as a litter box and sprinkle grounds all around your plants and flowers.

6. Used coffee ground are ideal for composting as they add nitrogen.Mix the grounds with leaves and dried grass.This works very well if you use worms with your compost because worms love the used grounds.

7. Used grounds can be sprinkled over icy sidewalks instead of environmentally dangerous salt. They stay put so you don't track them into the house and they don't freeze over.

8. Used coffee grounds make an excellent pumice for your hands or your pans .

9. Grounds eliminate lingering odors, such as garlic, on your hands .

10. Fill cheesecloth with dried grounds and hang in your closets for an easy and inexpensive deodorizer. This can also work for your freezer.

The next time you are about to empty those used grounds into the garbage think of the many ways you can help your immediate environment. Even the filters can be planted and will disintegrate. It's a winning proposition !

Learn more about this author, Lisa Kates.
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