Coffee Grounds Help Flowers Blossom
Jennifer Ainsworth
Issue date: 2/23/10 Section: News
Recent years have shown an increase in society's attempt to "go green," and one franchise is cashing in on this trend with what it calls a "global responsibility."
Starbucks Cafe began recycling its coffee grounds as part of an effort to go green in 1995. However, the program known as "Grounds for Growth" or "Grounds for Your Garden" was not officially recognized until 2005. The company has found a way to recycle not only their coffee grounds, but bags as well. Jen Evans, a manager at a local Starbucks, explained the program.
"The grounds are collected from the espresso machines throughout the day and then packed freshly each night," she said. "Since the grounds are biodegradable, they are really good for the garden."
After being placed in the now reusable bags, a sticker is then placed on the bag with directions on how to use these coffee grounds in a garden.
According to the program, the grounds are recommended to be used on plants which seek acid, such as blueberries or azaleas, but the grounds can be used in other ways as well. Starbucks recommends using the grounds for compost or possibly a worm bin, along with the primary use in the garden.
When the grounds are used in the garden, not only do the plants like the acid-rich material, but the soil thrives from the nitrogen in the organic material. If the grounds are used in a compost pile, the combination of carbon and nitrogen causes heat to be produced, which causes the compost effect to occur more quickly. The third recommended use of the grounds is in the worm bin, because the grounds improve the soil condition and allow the worms to prosper.
The program is well-known among the regulars at local Starbucks, according to Evans.
"Our partners are aware of the 'Grounds for Your Garden' since the process is done each night," she said.
Evans also explained that the community seems to take advantage of this opportunity in the spring, and since most gardens are dormant in winter, the grounds are not as likely to be taken.
Augusta State University has a "Grounds for Your Garden" display in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Café, but few students are aware of this. Adam Daniels, a junior French major, drew a blank when asked about the program.
"I have no idea what it is and have not seen the display," he said.
Megan Tokarska, a freshman nursing major, is aware of program but doesn't utilize it.
"I have seen the display when I get my coffee just before my 8 a.m. class, but I never take the grounds," she said. "All I know is that it is Starbucks' way of being environmentally-friendly."
When asked whether or not she thought this program was useful, Tokarska said that she thought it was.
"Even if you don't garden it's great for people who do…Not only is it free, but it's a great natural fertilizer and healthy for the plants," she said.
Starbucks Cafe began recycling its coffee grounds as part of an effort to go green in 1995. However, the program known as "Grounds for Growth" or "Grounds for Your Garden" was not officially recognized until 2005. The company has found a way to recycle not only their coffee grounds, but bags as well. Jen Evans, a manager at a local Starbucks, explained the program.
"The grounds are collected from the espresso machines throughout the day and then packed freshly each night," she said. "Since the grounds are biodegradable, they are really good for the garden."
After being placed in the now reusable bags, a sticker is then placed on the bag with directions on how to use these coffee grounds in a garden.
According to the program, the grounds are recommended to be used on plants which seek acid, such as blueberries or azaleas, but the grounds can be used in other ways as well. Starbucks recommends using the grounds for compost or possibly a worm bin, along with the primary use in the garden.
When the grounds are used in the garden, not only do the plants like the acid-rich material, but the soil thrives from the nitrogen in the organic material. If the grounds are used in a compost pile, the combination of carbon and nitrogen causes heat to be produced, which causes the compost effect to occur more quickly. The third recommended use of the grounds is in the worm bin, because the grounds improve the soil condition and allow the worms to prosper.
The program is well-known among the regulars at local Starbucks, according to Evans.
"Our partners are aware of the 'Grounds for Your Garden' since the process is done each night," she said.
Evans also explained that the community seems to take advantage of this opportunity in the spring, and since most gardens are dormant in winter, the grounds are not as likely to be taken.
Augusta State University has a "Grounds for Your Garden" display in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Café, but few students are aware of this. Adam Daniels, a junior French major, drew a blank when asked about the program.
"I have no idea what it is and have not seen the display," he said.
Megan Tokarska, a freshman nursing major, is aware of program but doesn't utilize it.
"I have seen the display when I get my coffee just before my 8 a.m. class, but I never take the grounds," she said. "All I know is that it is Starbucks' way of being environmentally-friendly."
When asked whether or not she thought this program was useful, Tokarska said that she thought it was.
"Even if you don't garden it's great for people who do…Not only is it free, but it's a great natural fertilizer and healthy for the plants," she said.
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