Can You Put Coffee Grounds Down the Sink or Garbage Disposal? Dispose Grounds Properly!

I know it’s easy to dump that sloppy mess of used coffee grounds right down your sink, but I’m here to tell you to RESIST that temptation. Not only will you harm your plumbing, but you’re also missing the opportunity to put those grounds to better use!

Have I piqued your curiosity? Then keep reading.

Can you put coffee grounds down the drain or sink?

Can you put coffee grounds down the sink? Sure. Should you? Not.

Even though dry ground coffee looks like a fine powder that will wash quickly away, in this case, looks are deceiving. Once wet, ground coffee turns into a thick and clumpy paste that will wreak havoc on your plumbing. You’ll experience coffee grounds clogging the drain.

If your garbage or compost is packed to the brim, and you’re desperate, it’s okay to put the coffee down the drain on rare occasions. If you must do it, plumbers recommend that you run a lot of water at the same time to ensure everything is adequately rinsed through.

Can coffee grounds go down garbage disposal?

Your garbage disposal can handle so many dense foods; it seems crazy to think it can’t handle ground coffee beans. But indeed, coffee is best kept out of the garbage disposal as well.

Unlike most food, which breaks down when it gets wet, ground coffee gets denser. That makes it prone to clogging your pipes, especially the U-shaped segment under the kitchen sink. And the problem gets worse when mixed with other kitchen scraps.

Ask any plumber you meet, and they’ll have a story about scooping a thick mass of ground coffee sludge from a pipe.

How to dispose of coffee grounds

There are several ways to dispose of coffee grounds without clogging your drains. Fortunately, many of the methods add value to your morning java.

The obvious one is to throw your used coffee grounds in the trash. Perhaps it is not the most environmentally friendly choice, but it is still a step up from rinsing them down the sink. A better option? Toss them in the compost. If you’re making coffee without a coffee maker, with a paper filter, it too can generally go right in the compost, making this a straightforward option.

If you have a garden, you don’t want to waste your ground coffee. Adding it to the soil adds vital nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, absorbs heavy metals, and attracts beneficial earthworms (1).

Not a gardener? There are plenty of other ways to use coffee or recycle your used coffee grounds.

This video has some great tips:

Some of my favourites? Ground coffee makes an excellent exfoliating scrub for you or a furry friend. It can act as a natural insect repellent or air freshener, and you can even put it to work tenderising meat before your next BBQ! Similarly, use it for scrubbing stubborn household spots like showers, tubs, or pots and pans.

Wrapping Up

So now you know. Coffee grounds should never go down your sink. Not only are they bad for your plumbing, but you’re rinsing away all sorts of potential. Make your morning coffee twice as good by recycling your coffee grounds around your home or garden!