As we enter April and observe earth month, it's time again to refuel our passion to take care of this beautiful planet we have been given. As we dive into our personal and professional practices of sustainability, it is important to look at our continued efforts in reducing, reusing, and recycling, and exploring new ways to do our diligence within every part of our company! As we give some advice on how to utilize every part of your coffee experience, we'll share our current practices and plans for sustainability in our corner of the coffee industry!
Sustainability
Utilizing Used Grounds
Don't throw out those coffee grounds!
Used coffee grounds are often considered waste, but there are many sustainable ways to utilize them instead of sending them to landfill. One popular way to repurpose coffee grounds is to use them as a natural fertilizer. The nitrogen and other nutrients found in coffee grounds make them an excellent addition to soil for plants that prefer slightly acidic soil, such as tomatoes and blueberries. Coffee grounds can also be added to compost to help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Additionally, coffee grounds can be used as an exfoliant in skincare products due to their texture and natural oils, making them a great eco-friendly alternative to microbeads. With so many sustainable options, it's easy to give used coffee grounds a second life and reduce waste in the process.
Coffee Bean Chaff
Coffee chaff is an often overlooked byproduct of coffee production, but it has a variety of uses. Chaff is a byproduct of the roasting process, but it can be repurposed sustainably. One way is to turn coffee chaff into biofuel, which can reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Another option is to use it as natural mulch, which can help retain soil moisture and add nutrients to the soil. In addition, coffee chaff can be used as animal feed, which provides a sustainable and nutritious alternative to traditional feed options. At Utica Coffee Roasting, we are committed to exploring ways to incorporate sustainable practices into our operations, and we are currently researching potential uses for coffee chaffs. By finding innovative ways to use this often-overlooked byproduct, we can reduce waste and promote sustainability in the coffee industry.
Burlap Bags
At Utica Coffee Roasting, we're all about sustainability. We believe in finding new ways to repurpose our materials and reduce our environmental impact. Burlap bags, which are commonly used to transport and store coffee beans, are a perfect example. With a little creativity, burlap bags can be transformed into reusable grocery bags, garden mulch, or even for erosion control. And let's be real, who doesn't want to add some rustic flair to their garden while also preventing soil runoff? Not to mention, burlap bags make great material for arts and crafts projects, adding a unique touch to any DIY project. We're excited to continue finding sustainable uses for burlap bags, and we hope you'll join us in our efforts to protect our planet.
Contact Us!
Our Head Roaster, Miah Mendoza, would like you to contact her at miahucr@gmail.com if you would like to utilize the coffee chaff or burlap bags! We value our community, and if anybody can take advantage of any of our additional recorces, please contact her directly! Thank you for your help with our mission of making our place in the coffee industry as green as the beans we roast!
