Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. In Germany, per capita consumption is over 160 liters per year – more than mineral water or beer. But as much as we love our morning espresso or afternoon filter coffee, we are often unaware of the enormous quantities of byproducts generated during coffee preparation and production.
Whether it's coffee grounds in the kitchen , silverskin residue from roasting , or coffee cherries in the country of origin : the journey from plant to cup leaves behind a lot of "waste." This is often carelessly discarded – yet it holds enormous potential. Anyone wanting to make their coffee culture more sustainable can start right here: with upcycling coffee waste .
"Zero Waste" is more than just a trend. It's about using resources more consciously, reducing waste, and finding creative ways to transform seemingly worthless items into useful ones. In this article, you'll learn what coffee grounds are, what you can do with them, and how you can use them to live more sustainably in your everyday life.
What coffee grounds are left?
When we think of coffee, we usually only picture the bean. However, there are actually several by-products that arise along the value chain:
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Coffee grounds : These are produced during every brewing process, whether espresso, filter coffee, or French press. Since coffee is brewed daily in almost every household, millions of tons of coffee grounds are generated worldwide.
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Coffee skin (silverskin) : During roasting, very thin skins detach from the bean. They collect in roasteries or in the drip tray of home roasters.
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Coffee cherries : The bean is actually the seed of the coffee cherry. In the growing countries, the pulp is usually removed and left behind – often unused, even though it contains valuable nutrients.
What can you do with the leftovers?
1. Coffee grounds – the all-rounder for household, garden and cosmetics
Coffee grounds are the most well-known residue, as they are produced during every brewing process. They are rich in valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. These properties make them versatile:
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As a plant fertilizer : Nitrogen supports leaf growth, potassium strengthens resistance to disease, and phosphorus promotes flowering and fruit development. This combination makes coffee grounds a natural, balanced plant fertilizer.
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As a pest repellent : Slugs and ants dislike both the smell and texture of coffee grounds. Therefore, they can be scattered around flower beds or pots to protect plants.
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In cosmetics : The fine granules act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and stimulating blood circulation thanks to the residual caffeine. This is why it is particularly popular in DIY face masks or body scrubs.
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In the household : The coarse texture of coffee grounds makes them a gentle scouring agent for pots and pans or stovetops. Furthermore, their porous structure absorbs odors – similar to activated charcoal.
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Why does this work?
The minerals in coffee grounds act similarly to conventional fertilizer. Their slightly abrasive structure makes them a natural cleaning agent. And caffeine stimulates skin cells, which is cosmetically beneficial.
2. Coffee skin (silverskin) – the inconspicuous fiber bomb
During roasting, wafer-thin skins detach from the beans. These consist mainly of dietary fiber and contain valuable antioxidants. For a long time, they were considered waste, but innovative uses are now being tested:
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In baked goods : Due to their high fiber content, the skins are suitable as an additive in bread or pastries, similar to wheat bran. They increase the fiber content and thus improve digestibility.
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As animal feed : Silverskin is easily digestible and can be used in small quantities as a supplement in feed mixtures.
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As packaging material or bioplastic : The fibrous structure makes the skins interesting for the development of sustainable packaging that is compostable.
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Why does this work?
The skins consist mainly of cellulose and lignin – plant fibers that are strong, lightweight, and biodegradable. At the same time, they contain valuable antioxidants that can be used in food or cosmetics.
3. Coffee cherries – an underestimated resource in the country of origin
The bean is just the seed of the coffee cherry. The pulp surrounding the bean is usually removed during cultivation – yet it contains a lot of potential.
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Cascara tea : Dried coffee cherries can be steeped. The resulting tea has a fruity-sweet taste, reminiscent of rosehip or hibiscus, and also contains caffeine.
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Biogas & Compost : In growing regions, the pulp is increasingly used for energy production or as organic fertilizer. This allows farmers to close local cycles and reduce waste.
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New products : In some projects, coffee cherry powder is processed into flour that is rich in fiber and antioxidants and can be used in baked goods.
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Why does this work?
The pulp of the coffee cherry is rich in sugar, antioxidants, and fiber. Therefore, it is suitable for human consumption as well as for energy production and agriculture.
Conclusion regarding the leftovers
All coffee byproducts – coffee grounds, chaff, and cherries – possess natural properties that make them valuable far beyond their "waste" status. The nitrogen and minerals in the coffee grounds, the fiber in the chaff, and the antioxidants in the coffee cherries are key to making them useful raw materials for household use, cosmetics, nutrition, and agriculture.
3 things you can make from leftover coffee grounds
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Soap with coffee grounds
Incorporating coffee grounds into handmade soap creates a natural exfoliating effect. It removes dead skin cells, promotes blood circulation, and gives the soap a unique texture.
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Body scrub
With just a few ingredients like olive oil or coconut oil and a little sugar, coffee grounds can be used to make an effective scrub. It nourishes the skin and utilizes a raw material that would otherwise end up in the trash.
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Scented candles and room fragrances
Coffee grounds can be dried and incorporated into candle wax. The result: rustic candles with a delicate coffee scent. Dried in small fabric bags, they also neutralize unpleasant odors in the refrigerator or shoe cupboard.
3 ways you can still use coffee grounds at home
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Plant fertilizer
Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, especially for plants like roses, hydrangeas, or tomatoes. They provide valuable nutrients that are slowly released into the soil. Important: Let them dry thoroughly beforehand to prevent mold growth.
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Odor neutralizer
Coffee grounds absorb unpleasant odors. Simply place a bowl of dried grounds in the refrigerator or fill small bags with them and put them in your shoes.
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Cleaning agent
Thanks to its granular texture, coffee grounds can be used as a mild scouring agent – ideal for cleaning pans or soiled surfaces.
Conclusion: Upcycling coffee – small steps with a big impact
Coffee is a beverage we often consume without a second thought. But precisely because it's drunk in such enormous quantities worldwide, it's worth being more mindful of its byproducts. Those who want to use coffee grounds have a multitude of options: in the garden, around the house, in cosmetics, or as a creative DIY project.
Even the lesser-known remnants, such as coffee skins or coffee cherries, demonstrate that the coffee plant has far more to offer than just the bean. Start-ups and producers worldwide are working to upcycle these materials, thereby not only avoiding waste but also creating new value chains – from sustainable packaging to new food products.
The beauty of it is that everyone can start small. Even collecting and reusing coffee grounds in your own household saves waste and offers practical benefits – be it as fertilizer, cleaning agent, or as an ingredient for a scrub.
"Zero waste" in coffee doesn't mean deprivation, but rather creativity. It's about unlocking the full potential of coffee and giving it a second, third, or even fourth use beyond the cup. In this way, a simple everyday beverage becomes a symbol of a more sustainable lifestyle.
Zero-waste coffee – upcycling leftovers & saving resources, here's how
Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. In Germany, per capita consumption is over 160 liters per year – more than mineral water or beer. But as much as we love our morning espresso or afternoon filter coffee, we are often unaware of the enormous quantities of byproducts generated during coffee preparation and production.
Whether it's coffee grounds in the kitchen , silverskin residue from roasting , or coffee cherries in the country of origin : the journey from plant to cup leaves behind a lot of "waste." This is often carelessly discarded – yet it holds enormous potential. Anyone wanting to make their coffee culture more sustainable can start right here: with upcycling coffee waste .
"Zero Waste" is more than just a trend. It's about using resources more consciously, reducing waste, and finding creative ways to transform seemingly worthless items into useful ones. In this article, you'll learn what coffee grounds are, what you can do with them, and how you can use them to live more sustainably in your everyday life.
What coffee grounds are left?
When we think of coffee, we usually only picture the bean. However, there are actually several by-products that arise along the value chain:
What can you do with the leftovers?
1. Coffee grounds – the all-rounder for household, garden and cosmetics
Coffee grounds are the most well-known residue, as they are produced during every brewing process. They are rich in valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. These properties make them versatile:
The minerals in coffee grounds act similarly to conventional fertilizer. Their slightly abrasive structure makes them a natural cleaning agent. And caffeine stimulates skin cells, which is cosmetically beneficial.
2. Coffee skin (silverskin) – the inconspicuous fiber bomb
During roasting, wafer-thin skins detach from the beans. These consist mainly of dietary fiber and contain valuable antioxidants. For a long time, they were considered waste, but innovative uses are now being tested:
The skins consist mainly of cellulose and lignin – plant fibers that are strong, lightweight, and biodegradable. At the same time, they contain valuable antioxidants that can be used in food or cosmetics.
3. Coffee cherries – an underestimated resource in the country of origin
The bean is just the seed of the coffee cherry. The pulp surrounding the bean is usually removed during cultivation – yet it contains a lot of potential.
The pulp of the coffee cherry is rich in sugar, antioxidants, and fiber. Therefore, it is suitable for human consumption as well as for energy production and agriculture.
Conclusion regarding the leftovers
All coffee byproducts – coffee grounds, chaff, and cherries – possess natural properties that make them valuable far beyond their "waste" status. The nitrogen and minerals in the coffee grounds, the fiber in the chaff, and the antioxidants in the coffee cherries are key to making them useful raw materials for household use, cosmetics, nutrition, and agriculture.
3 things you can make from leftover coffee grounds
Incorporating coffee grounds into handmade soap creates a natural exfoliating effect. It removes dead skin cells, promotes blood circulation, and gives the soap a unique texture.
With just a few ingredients like olive oil or coconut oil and a little sugar, coffee grounds can be used to make an effective scrub. It nourishes the skin and utilizes a raw material that would otherwise end up in the trash.
Coffee grounds can be dried and incorporated into candle wax. The result: rustic candles with a delicate coffee scent. Dried in small fabric bags, they also neutralize unpleasant odors in the refrigerator or shoe cupboard.
3 ways you can still use coffee grounds at home
Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, especially for plants like roses, hydrangeas, or tomatoes. They provide valuable nutrients that are slowly released into the soil. Important: Let them dry thoroughly beforehand to prevent mold growth.
Coffee grounds absorb unpleasant odors. Simply place a bowl of dried grounds in the refrigerator or fill small bags with them and put them in your shoes.
Thanks to its granular texture, coffee grounds can be used as a mild scouring agent – ideal for cleaning pans or soiled surfaces.
Conclusion: Upcycling coffee – small steps with a big impact
Coffee is a beverage we often consume without a second thought. But precisely because it's drunk in such enormous quantities worldwide, it's worth being more mindful of its byproducts. Those who want to use coffee grounds have a multitude of options: in the garden, around the house, in cosmetics, or as a creative DIY project.
Even the lesser-known remnants, such as coffee skins or coffee cherries, demonstrate that the coffee plant has far more to offer than just the bean. Start-ups and producers worldwide are working to upcycle these materials, thereby not only avoiding waste but also creating new value chains – from sustainable packaging to new food products.
The beauty of it is that everyone can start small. Even collecting and reusing coffee grounds in your own household saves waste and offers practical benefits – be it as fertilizer, cleaning agent, or as an ingredient for a scrub.
"Zero waste" in coffee doesn't mean deprivation, but rather creativity. It's about unlocking the full potential of coffee and giving it a second, third, or even fourth use beyond the cup. In this way, a simple everyday beverage becomes a symbol of a more sustainable lifestyle.