Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur who knows everything about java, or someone who needs a cup to jump-start their morning, it’s safe to say you’ve seen your share of coffee grounds.
At Gene Wagner Plumbing, we are often asked whether we can dispose of coffee grounds down the sink. The short answer is yes, and the responsible answer is no.
While it’s easy to dump that sloppy mess of used coffee grounds right down your sink, resist the temptation. If you do it regularly, your plumbing will likely develop serious clogs, requiring a plumber’s attention.
While dry ground coffee may look like a fine powder that will wash quickly away, it’s not quite that simple. Once wet, ground coffee becomes a thick and clumpy paste, wreaking havoc on your plumbing, with coffee grounds clogging the drain.
Unlike most food, which breaks down when wet, ground coffee becomes denser, making it prone to congest your pipes, especially the U-shaped segment under the sink.
Ask any plumber you meet; they’ll have a story about scooping a thick mass of ground coffee sludge from a pipe.
If you can’t rinse the coffee ground down your drain, what can you do with them? You could always throw them in the garbage, but we encourage you to try these environmentally friendly uses for them!
How To Dispose Of Coffee Grounds
There are various ways to dispose of coffee grounds without clogging your drains and adding value to your morning cup of java.
The most obvious way to get rid of used coffee grounds is to toss them in the trash. Not the most earth-friendly choice, but it is still a step up from rinsing them down the sink. However, there is another way. Let’s look at composting.
Compost It for Later
Composting is a natural series of steps that turns organic matter such as food scraps and leaves into a dark, rich material called compost.
It’s an ideal process to recycle scraps from your yard and kitchen, enhancing the garden soil, enriching water retention, and safeguarding against erosion.
Adding compost to your yard or garden assists the soil in retaining more nutrients and water, improving the health of your plants.
Coffee grounds can help increase nutrient levels and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of your compost. It offers essential nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, absorbs heavy metals, and attracts beneficial earthworms.
While it sounds complicated, composting is very simple and makes for a fun, rewarding hobby.
Homeowners should never flush coffee grounds down their sink, as it will harm your plumbing and rinse away earth-friendly potential.
Make your morning cup of joe twice as good by recycling your coffee grounds around your home or garden!
Gene Wagner Plumbing understands that plumbing problems often happen, mostly when we least expect it. Milwaukee’s A-List has ranked us as one of the top two plumbers in Southeastern Wisconsin. We take pride in our customer service, which shows through our customer testimonials. Contact us or call us at 414-541-9217.
