If you love coffee, then having a coffee maker can be a perfect addition to your kitchen. Considering that you are consuming coffee on a daily basis, you are likely to put a lot of coffee filters in the dustbin. But have you ever thought about whether you should be really throwing the used filter into the dustbin? Is it safe for the environment? Can you compost coffee filters? We will help you find the right answer in this article.
Can You Compost Coffee Filters?
Yes, coffee filters are entirely compostable, but here we are talking about the paper coffee filter. In case your filter is made of other materials like linen, then it might not be the same. Moreover, often coffee filters are treated with chemicals like bleach.
Therefore you should opt for unbleached filters in order to keep the compost organic. But the quantity of chemicals used in these filters is very less; it does not create a big impact on health.
Additionally, adding coffee filters is not only biodegradable, but they are good for your compost. These materials are considered to be boasted with carbon, thereby proving good to balance the amount of nitrogen. You can also add in the coffee ground as they are rich in nitrogen, thereby boosting the quality of your compost.
Coffee filters prove to be an excellent way of controlling odor and improving the level of oxygen. This results in a healthier compost pile, which is also easier to maintain.
How Long Do Coffee Filters Take to Decompose?
There is no definite answer to this question. This is because there are different factors that can impact the time it takes for coffee filters to decompose. Some of these factors include:
- Type of coffee filters
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Time of the year
- How long since it has been manufactured
Typically, it takes between 6 and 8 months for coffee filters to completely decompose and become unrecognizable. This duration is quite common for organic products. When decomposing, make sure you turn the filter around using a pitchfork every one to two weeks to improve the decomposition process.
Are Coffee Filters Bad for the Environment?
Coffee filter bags are made of paper, and there is nothing about paper that makes it bad for the environment. Moreover, even the process that is used to make coffee filters is safe for the environment. When it comes to coffee filters, there are two types of it that include –
- The unbleached is the type that carries the color of the paper, which is derived from the rolled or pressed paper pulp. It is recommended to rinse this paper in boiling water prior to using it for your coffee. This will help in removing the taste of paper that might occur.
- The next option is bleached filter paper. It has been treated with chlorine that removes the taste and color of the paper. Bleached filter focuses mainly on aesthetic appeal. And you do not need to rinse these types of filters. Many people have this misconception that bleached filter papers are bad. These types of filters are treated with chlorine, which is a safe chemical, and when used correctly, they do not pose any environmental risk.
7 Genius Ways to Reuse Used Coffee Filters
Other than composting them, there are many ways you can use the coffee filter. Here are some alternative uses of a used coffee filter –
1. Use It Up Again
A little unknown fact about the coffee filter is that you can use it multiple times before it needs to be discarded. All you have to do is dump the ground coffee in your compost pile, dry the filter, and then use the filter again to brew your next pot.
2. Control Weed Growth
Coffee filters offer an easy and cost-effective way to control the growth of the weed on your garden plants. Use the filter with the ground coffee, and you will get an excellent fertilizer. Coffee contains a lot of vital nutrients that encourage the growth of the plants.
You can collect four to five cups of the grounds and use it on three to four house plants. The amount of ground coffee will depend on the size of the plant. Save up the filter and ground coffee and continue to use on the plants.
3. Use It To Strain Cooking Oil
Coffee filters can be used as a strainer for your cooking oil. It is an excellent way to strain the oil and remove out the impurities, making it ideal for reuse. Out the filter on the top of the oil jar and turn in upside down, and strain the liquid into another container. The oil in the new container will contain cleaners oil that you can use again for cooking.
4. Line Your Plant Pots
Often when we are treating the soil in the plant pot, it tends to spill out and create a mess. This can be avoided by adding coffee filters circling the pot, thereby creating a protective line around it. It is one of the effective ways to protect the soil from spilling out of the pot.
5. Clean Glass Surfaces
Glass stains can be unattractive to look at, and they are also unhealthy. Using a regular cleaning brush can leave scratches on the glass surfaces. On the other hand, coffee filters are great for cleaning glass surfaces. The great thing is that coffee filters would not leave any scratches. More importantly, you do not have to worry about any residue being left.
6. Maintain The Moisture of Microwaving Food
If you are regularly using a paper towel to cover the food while microwaving it, then a coffee filter can be a good alternative. A coffee filter helps in retaining moisture. But the added benefit is that since it is used in coffee filters, you will be reducing wastage.
7. A Protective Resources
Coffee filters can be a cheaper alternative to protect your valuables. They act as a non-abrasive protection layer. You can place them between your valuables like jewelry and keep things organized.
Steps To Compost The Used Coffee Filters
There some steps that you need to use in order to compost your used coffee filter properly:
1. Do Not Empty the Coffee Grounds
When we say composting coffee filters, it implies that you must use the coffee ground with it. Used beans act as an excellent fertilizer and offer a lot of important nutrients to the plant and enhance its growth. So the first step is to retain both the coffee filter and coffee grounds.
2. Tear Off The Filter
If you compost the whole piece together, it will take longer to biodegrade. Therefore, it would be better to tear up the filter into smaller pieces to boost up the process. Since the filter will be already wet, it would be easier for you to tear the whole thing into smaller pieces. And if you have just taken the filter out of the coffee machine, make sure you wear gloves in order to protect your hands from burning.
3. Don’t Add all at Once
Compost cannot be made using just coffee filters. There needs to be a balanced mix of organic matter and vegetation in order to make effective compost. Therefore, you cannot use just coffee grounds and filters to make the compost. Moreover, you cannot also just add these ingredients in huge amounts as it will slow down the overall process. Add each coffee filter after every use. There is no need to save them all at once.
4. Mix It Up
To properly decompose, everything needs to wet, especially the used coffee beans. If you add dried coffee beans, then it will take longer to complete the process. Therefore, make sure you mix all the ingredients throughout so that they do remain dry on the top. If you feel that the mixture is dry, you can add some water. Use a pitchfork to mix everything well. Adding worms can also do an excellent job at breaking the filters.
Is Coffee Filter Recyclable?
No, Coffee filters are not recyclable like other papers, but they can only be used for compost. Additionally, if you are using a plastic coating filter, then make sure you put it in the garbage after use. Yes, there is a certain filter that comes with plastic layers.
And when these are thrown on the ground, they do not decompose and impact the environment. So make sure you buy a brown filter or reusable filter in order to use them for different purposes safely.
Final Thoughts
Things can be used in a creative way to add value to your life. And one such way is the use of a coffee filter. Apart from being a perfectly biodegradable and excellent source to add to your compost. They can be used in different ways.
When buying a coffee filter, make sure you invest in a high-quality one so that it lasts you longer and can serve different purposes. Above, we have shared some simple yet effective ways that you can use the used coffee filter and get more out of your money.
