Grounds For Your Garden

Collect grounds for your garden!

We’ve got the grounds—you’ve got the garden! Stop by any of our cafes to take advantage of our grounds collection program!

How does it work?

We collect the used coffee grounds and paper coffee filters at each of our cafes, kept separate from other compost, recycling, or trash. These are then stored in large bins, where you can come collect whatever you’d like!

Frequently asked Questions

  • Our bins are equipped with large scoops to help you collect your grounds and scoop them into a bucket, bag, or whatever you’d like to put them in to!

  • You are welcome to bring your own bucket, bag, or anything else to fill with grounds for your garden. We also offer 3.5 gallon buckets for sale at each cafe if you would like to purchase one for easy transport!

  • Each cafe location has a different spot where grounds can be collected.

    • Highwood: Around back in the alleyway, near our back door.

    • Libertyville: Right outside our ADA entrance (to the left when you exit the cafe)

    • Winnetka: In the trash enclosure (to the right when you enter the enclosure)

    Ask your barista for the exact location or if you need any clarification!

  • Feel free to take as much as you’d like—we refill multiple times per day!

  • Coffee grounds can be mixed in to any compost you have or be used directly into planting beds. Keep in mind that coffee is a little higher in acidity. Make sure to do your own research on how best to utilize coffee grounds for optimal performance in your garden.

  • We keep coffee grounds and the paper filters they are brewed in separate from all other waste so that you can rest assured with exactly what you’re getting. Please note that expended grounds are collected wet, and therefore some mold is possible and expected.