When we first bought the Keurig Coffee Brewer I was really disappointed that the pods were plastic and could not be thrown in the compost heap. I was so used to taking my brewed coffee grounds, filter and all, and throwing it in the compost bin. So much to DH’s dismay I started cutting the aluminum cover off the K-cups once used and cool and emptying the coffee grounds into my compost.

It takes but a few seconds to open and empty each cup and you can do about 4 a minute once you’ve gotten the hang of it.  I use a utility knife or a sharp paring knife to cut around the edge of the aluminum cup cover.  I brush any grounds stuck to the cover into the compost and set the cover aside in my GB (garbage bowl).  Then I use a tea spoon to scrape the grounds out of the K-cup before relegating the non-recyclable container to the GB as well.

Coffee grounds are acidic and are great for putting directly in pots or planting holes for blueberries or any other plant that likes acid soil.  Since they are organic they compost well and enrich the compost heap for future use.  Make sure to turn the pile frequently if you want usable compost in a short period of time.  Also add scraps of black and white newsprint, grass clippings and mulched dry leaves for the necessary nitrogen fix that encourages the growth of compost loving bacteria.