We treat leftovers of various kinds in advance as waste, with which nothing can be done anymore. And although there are more and more people who maniacally use vegetable or fruit peels, there are still non-obvious “trash” that can be used a second time. And coffee is one of them – especially when the sidewalks are covered with snow or freezing rain snow.
Coffee grounds are not just the leftovers left over from your morning cup of coffee. It’s a useful element for homemade scrubs, fertilizers or a way to refresh, for example, the contents of the refrigerator. It is also increasingly common to see coffee grounds scattered on the streets. This is a purposeful and sensible action. Details below.
Instead of salt, sprinkle the sidewalk with grounds
Coffee grounds can be an effective substitute for salt, which is usually used to combat ice on sidewalks. Salt, although commonly used, is bad for the environment and footwear. Unlike salt, grounds have no negative effects on plants or shoe materials. In addition, grounds are free, as you can use the leftovers from making coffee.
To apply them, simply spread them on an icy surface – they work similarly to salt. They also work great on slippery stairs, terraces or balconies. Several cities in Poland and around the world have already put this eco-friendly way into practice. Will it be possible to spread this solution on a wider scale? We can only hope so! Before using coffee grounds on a snow-covered sidewalk, you need to be sure that they have been well prepared.
How to properly dry coffee grounds?
The first step is to collect the coffee grounds. You can put them in a container and store them for several days. To avoid the formation of mold, it is a good idea to dry coffee grounds thoroughly. The drying process is simple: just spread the grounds on newspaper or a paper towel and place them in a warm, airy place. Once the coffee grounds are dry, they are ideal for storage and later use.
