PSA: Starbucks Will Give You These Versatile Leftovers—for Free

We recently told you how to get free Starbucks on your birthday—but did you know that the chain gives out something else for free all year long? That’s right! For years, Starbucks has been giving away used coffee grounds to anyone who asks as part of the company’s Grounds for Your Garden program. Here’s what you need to know about the unconventional freebie: 

What Is ‘Grounds For Your Garden?’

Starbucks started its Grounds for Your Garden program nearly 30 years ago as a way to reduce environmental impact from its coffee shops. Even the packaging is recycled—the bags the used grounds are packaged in were originally used to ship espresso beans to Starbucks stores.  

“In its 29 years, Grounds for Your Garden has continued to be an important part of Starbucks' efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our stores, serving as another opportunity to reuse coffee grounds that constitute one of our largest sources of food waste by volume and weight,” a spokesperson for the brand told our friends at Food & Wine. “We continue to explore creative ways to engage our customers in our resource-positive journey.” 

How to Get Free Coffee Grounds From Starbucks 

First, you’ll need to call your local Starbucks to make sure it participates in the program. Once that’s out of the way, just ask for the grounds at the counter or in the drive-thru. The barista will scoop the used grounds into a bag and send you on your way. 

What Else Can You Do With Coffee Grounds? 

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients that encourage plant growth, so they’re a fantastic addition to any compost bin. No garden? No problem. Here are some other fantastic ways to put your free Starbucks coffee grounds to good use:  

Exfoliate your skin.

Coffee grounds don’t dissolve in water, which means they’re great for scrubbing away dead skin cells in the shower. Plus, the caffeine and antioxidants may help reduce premature aging and cellulite. Mix in some coconut oil if your skin needs a little extra moisture. 

Repel bugs. 

Many humans enjoy the smell of fresh coffee in the morning, but insects (including mosquitos) are repelled by the strong scent. If you’re one of the unlucky people that seems to attract bugs, you can rub some of the grounds onto your bare skin. 

Fix scratched furniture. 

While coffee grounds might not actually remove scratches from wood floors or tables, they can re-stain the wood and make the imperfections less noticeable. Simply mix the grounds with water to make a paste and rub it over the scratch. That’s it!

Clean pots, pans, and grill grates.

Coffee grounds are abrasive without being destructive, which makes them perfect for gently scouring burnt-on food and buildup from your cookware and grill grates. Just mix the grounds with warm, soapy water and scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge. 

Get rid of gross smells. 

Eliminate foul odors with coffee grounds, no matter where they’re coming from. The nitrogen in the grounds reacts with carbon, neutralizing lingering odors that are coming from your refrigerator or your hands after handling pungent garlic or onions. Place a bowl of use grounds in your fridge or rub them between your palms.