What's up with the overflowing bins of free coffee grounds that are offered daily at most Starbucks?

Am I the only person who takes advantage of this beneficial product for my garden?

As a garden designer in Los Angeles and in my travels across the states to do my television gardening segments, I always check in for at the local Starbucks my Venti Chai Tea Latte and grab a  bag of coffee grounds to add to my or my client's compost pile. 

 

Are you familiar with the Starbucks coffee ground bag?

It always surprises me when I see that the bins are usually hidden in the back of the store where most people can't  see them  and there's always plenty of bags available.

I've even questioned  employees if customers ever ask for free grounds and they usually just point to the small sign that reads "free coffee grounds" leaning against the back clearance rack. 

 

I've seen the bins used as trash cans with used newspapers stacked on top of them.

No wonder the free coffee grounds  are a "best kept secret."

 

Most gardeners are familiar with the benefit of adding organic material like coffee grounds, vegetable pulp, peels, and yes, even newspapers to their compost pile for later use in their gardens. 

I think Starbucks should make a concerted effort to educate their in-store guests since they obviously need to dispose of  the coffee grounds in an environmentally responsible  manner.

 

(I think they mention it on their web site but it needs prominent display in the store!)

 

Come on Starbucks, put together a 30 second audio clip to compliment your instore music broadcast with tips for greener gardens  with the help of some coffee grounds.

Put some colorful and informative posters  on your walls about how to start a compost bin and encourage people to garden. 

 

If you need a spokesperson, sign me up, I've already started working!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Designer Shirley Bovshow encourages you to recycle your coffee grounds!