Super Eco

Photo credit: G.J. Charlet II, flickr

Every time I question Starbucks' environmental sensitivity, someone points out how wonderful it is that the coffee chain offers its used coffee grounds for free use in customers' compost heaps. "Grounds for your garden," the stickers on the bags read. I like to be contrary and point out the chain's other shortcomings, but really? I should be thinking positive and counting those beans' blessings.

And for the organic gardener, coffee grounds have many purposes. For one thing, seed meal (coffee beans = seeds, ground = meal) is a vital component for a good compost heap as it is high in nitrogen, balancing other carbon elements, such as fallen leaves and tree mulch. In addition, they help sustain high temperatures in compost heaps.

Composting coffee grounds (as with all food waste) instead of sending them to a landfill helps cut greenhouse gas emissions. Waste management engineer Dan Hurley says, "to keep organics out of the landfill is a good thing ... because organics decompose and produce methane. Methane is about 25 times as bad as carbon dioxide." Pour cold coffee you don't plan to drink on your compost heap, too, instead of down the drain.

Composting isn't the only use for coffee grounds in an organic garden. Sprinkled around plant beds, they're a great slug deterrent, and according to one source they keep kitties from using your well-prepared soil as a litter box.