By
Food at LSE
Posted 2 months ago
Sun 09 Feb, 2025 08:02 AM
Did you know that each year, over 500,000 tonnes of coffee waste is generated, costing millions and releasing harmful CO2 emissions?
In LSE's Cafés, we’re turning this waste into an opportunity! Our coffee grounds recycling scheme lets students take home used coffee grounds for free, giving them a second life in ways that benefit you and the environment.
Why Reuse Coffee Grounds?
Instead of tossing them in the bin, coffee grounds can be repurposed in several useful and creative ways:
☕ Garden Fertilizer: Packed with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, coffee grounds enrich soil and boost plant growth.
☕ Odour Remover: Keep your fridge fresh by placing a small container of coffee grounds inside to absorb unwanted smells.
☕ Natural Scrubber: The coarse texture makes coffee grounds perfect for scrubbing stubborn food from pots and pans.
☕ Grow Mushrooms: If you love mushrooms, try using coffee grounds as a growing medium – they retain moisture and nutrients well.
☕ DIY Crafts & Candles: Love the smell of coffee? Create homemade coffee candles to bring a cozy café vibe into your home.
☕ Beauty & Skincare: Coffee grounds work wonders in body scrubs and hair treatments – just search online for easy recipes!
A Sustainable Initiative
The idea behind this initiative came from Beveridge Café’s catering team, led by Ewelina Krzak. Passionate about reducing waste, Ewelina was inspired after seeing a colleague use coffee grounds as a body scrub. She began promoting their benefits, leading to the launch of this recycling scheme. Since then, students and staff have eagerly taken part, with some even using coffee grounds for gardening projects.
Get Involved!
Simply ask a member of the team for your coffee grounds in:
- Beveridge Café
- Plaza Café
- Beaver's Brew
- The Bean Counter
Whether for your garden, home, or beauty routine, the possibilities for repurposing coffee grounds are endless!
Next time you grab a coffee, ask a staff member for free used coffee grounds and start making a difference.
A small step for you, a big step for sustainability. Let’s make coffee waste a thing of the past!
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