Used Coffee Grounds

Used Coffee Grounds

In High Demand

By Jacque

I was talking with my brother the other day about composting, and the use of used coffee grounds in compost piles.  In the conversation, he relayed to me that used coffee grounds in his area are in high demand.  Why?

According to an articleI read recently, the grounds are rich in nitrogen, providing bacteria the energy needed to compost organic matter.   Approximately 2% nitrogen by volume, used coffee grounds are becoming a common replacement for manure in compost piles.

Spinning Composter Item For Sale. Click pic for more details/order.

Where my brother lives there are several coffee shops that make their used grounds readily available to the public.  In my community, special arrangements need to be made with coffee shops to procure their use coffee grounds.  It is a simple process; go to your local coffee shop and talk with the manager.  Make it easy and clean for them to give you their grounds by providing a five gallon bucket with a lid, label it with your name, and return to pick it up at the coffee shop’s convenience.

• Spread them on the surface of the soil and cover with leaves or mulch.
• Add the grounds to your compost pile.
• Layer the grounds with leaves and/or grass clippings and turn once a week.

You do not have to use the coffe grounds all at once.  They can be stored in the five gallon bucket or plastic bag.  Some have worked the grounds into planting beds, but they will take a few months to break down.  Also, the filters from coffee makers can be composted with the grounds.

Besides being good for your garden, using coffee grounds in this manner reduces the amount that will end up in landfills.  Keeping these, and other organic materials, out of landfills helps reduce the amount of green house gases produced.  As organic materials decompose they produce methane, a gas that is 25 times worse than carbon dioxide.

This morning, enjoy your coffee… just save the grounds.

Original article: Science Daily

Research by: Oregon State University

Greenhouse Gases: What Can You Do?

Greenhouse Gases: What Can You Do?

By: Cam

Greenhouse gases 

First off I’ll name the MAN-MADE things that make greenhouse gases, such as vehicles, factories, boats, and airplanes. Deforestation is another cause for greenhouse gases. According to You can save the planet by: Jacquie Wines, greenhouse gases come in many forms, like water vapors, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and ozone gases. These gases trap more of the suns rays in earth’s atmosphere and warms us up. 

How you can help?

The best way to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases there are is, is to ride your bike or walk instead of driving places. Some people think they have an excuse because they live farther away from town, but if that’s the case public transportation is better than driving your own car. Another really good way is to get an electric or push lawn mower because according to the book You can save the planet 40 cars driving on the road for a year equals 1 lawn mower that runs on gasoline running for 1 year; it’s the same amount of pollution. 

What I plan to do 

I plan to ride my bike more places and turn off lights that aren’t needed.  Please post a comment telling what you do, or plan to do, to help reduce greenhouse gases.