When you’re a coffee-loving backpacker, there’s nothing better than a hot cup of joe after a long day trekking. But what to do with the used coffee grounds?
It’s important to dispose of them properly, as they’re not biodegradable and can be very harmful to the environment. Here are some tips on how to make sure you’re disposing of your coffee grounds while backpacking responsibly.
1. Don’t Leave Coffee Grounds in Designated Areas
When backpacking, it’s important to only leave your trash in designated areas or carry it out with you.
Don’t leave your used coffee grounds in any area that isn’t specifically designated for trash disposal. The same goes for any other type of waste – always take it with you or find a proper disposal area.
2. Bury Your Coffee Grounds
If there is no designated area for trash disposal, then one option is to bury the used coffee grounds in an inconspicuous spot away from trails and campsites. Make sure that you dig a hole at least 6 inches deep and cover it up afterwards so that animals don’t dig it up and spread the grounds around.
3. Use Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer
Coffee grounds are actually great for plants and can be used as fertilizer!
Just sprinkle them on soil around plants and trees, or mix them into the soil before planting new flowers or vegetables. This helps enrich the soil with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and other beneficial nutrients.
4. Reuse Your Coffee Grounds
If you have access to hot water, consider reusing your coffee grounds!
Simply strain out all of the old grounds from your French press or pour-over filter and add fresh coffee grounds along with hot water for an instant cup of fresh joe! This is an eco-friendly way to get more mileage out of your used coffee grounds.
When backpacking, don’t forget about where your used coffee grounds end up! Whether burying them away from trails and campsites or using them as fertilizer for plants and trees, being conscious about disposing of your waste responsibly is important. With these tips in mind, you can still enjoy a hot cup of joe while backpacking without adding any extra waste to the environment.