Latest news with #coffeegrounds
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Discovered This Amazing Practical Use For Leftover Coffee Grounds
We could be producing concrete that's 30 percent stronger by processing and adding charred coffee grounds to the mix, researchers in Australia found. Their clever recipe could solve multiple problems at the same time. Each year the world produces a staggering 10 billion kilograms (22 billion pounds) of coffee waste globally. Most ends up in landfills. "The disposal of organic waste poses an environmental challenge as it emits large amounts of greenhouse gases including methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change," explained RMIT University engineer Rajeev Roychand when the research was published in 2023. Related: With a booming construction market globally, there's also an ever increasing demand for resource intensive concrete causing another set of environmental challenges too. "The ongoing extraction of natural sand around the world – typically taken from river beds and banks – to meet the rapidly growing demands of the construction industry has a big impact on the environment," said RMIT engineer Jie Li. "There are critical and long-lasting challenges in maintaining a sustainable supply of sand due to the finite nature of resources and the environmental impacts of sand mining. With a circular-economy approach, we could keep organic waste out of landfill and also better preserve our natural resources like sand." Organic products like coffee grounds can't be added directly to concrete because they leak chemicals that weaken the building material's strength. So using low energy levels the team heated coffee waste to over 350 °C (around 660 °F) while depriving it of oxygen. This process is called pyrolyzing. It breaks down the organic molecules, resulting in a porous, carbon-rich charcoal called biochar, that can form bonds with and thereby incorporate itself into the cement matrix. Roychand and colleagues also tried pyrolyzing the coffee grounds at 500 °C but the resulting biochar particles were not as strong. The researchers cautioned that they still need to assess the long term durability of their cement product. They're now working on testing how the hybrid coffee-cement performs under freeze/thaw cycles, water absorption, abrasions and many more stressors. The team is also working on creating biochars from other organic waste sources, including wood, food waste and agricultural waste. "Our research is in the early stages, but these exciting findings offer an innovative way to greatly reduce the amount of organic waste that goes to landfill," said RMIT engineer Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch. "Inspiration for my research, from an Indigenous perspective, involves Caring for Country, ensuring there's a sustainable life cycle for all materials and avoiding things going into landfill to minimize the impact on the environment." Their research was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. An earlier version of this article was published in September 2023. Antarctica's Ocean Is Mysteriously Getting Saltier, Spelling End to Sea Ice Earth's Energy Imbalance Has Doubled in 2 Decades, Study Warns First Signal of Climate Change Became Detectable 130 Years Ago
The Sun
11-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm a cleaning expert – everyday £1.15 kitchen cupboard filler is perfect for tackling grime
WITH bills continuing to skyrocket and the cost of living crisis still taking a toll, saving money in small ways can make a huge difference. And we all know that filling your cupboards with professional cleaning products can cost a fortune. 4 4 So to help, experts have revealed that there is a cheap household item that is perfect for tackling grime, so you can save some well-earned cash. And you might be surprised to hear that the item in question is coffee, which can be picked up for as little as £1.15 in supermarkets like Tesco. Not only can the popular drink save you a few pounds, but it can actually be used for a variety of cleaning tasks in your home. Experts at Housekeep have revealed that used coffee grounds are great for tackling grime, especially burnt bits on the bottom of your pan that you just can't get rid of. It can even give your sink a new lease of life and get rid of any horrible, lingering smells. So before you chuck out your used grounds or the dregs of your brew, cleaning pro Georgina Shepherd recommends using them to their full potential. She said: "Used coffee grounds are surprisingly versatile. "Thanks to their coarse texture, used coffee grounds can come in handy for tackling stubborn grime. "They're great for scrubbing pans, trays with burnt-on bits, or even giving your stainless steel sink a good refresh. "It's a great reason to hang on to the grounds from your morning brew instead of tossing them. I was gutted when scrubbing didn't get my 'stained' blender clean, then remembered a £3.25 spray I had in the cupboard 'Take your leftover ground coffee and mix it with a few squirts of washing-up liquid to form a paste. "Then, using a soft sponge, apply it to the surface you're cleaning. Scrub in circular motions, and this should help cut through grease and lift off any grime. "Avoid using coffee to clean porous surfaces, though, as it can stain!' As well as tackling grime in the kitchen, it also works well on wooden surfaces. Georgina adds: "That same coffee paste can work surprisingly well as a natural stain for wooden surfaces or furniture, too. "If you've got a small mark or scuff on a wooden surface, just apply the paste, let it sit for around 10-15 minutes, then wipe it away.' Another surprising use of coffee is to soak up any bad smells - especially food and bin odours. Georgia recommends sprinkling a handful of coffee during the summer to keep your bins fresh. And it's good news for anyone with a wooden chopping board. EXPERTS have revealed that a thorough clean doesn't have to break the bank. Katy Phillips, a product expert at price comparison website idealo, has said there are five clever, cost-effective ways to spruce up your home while keeping costs low. DIY cleaning solutions - Skip over the expensive cleaning products and make your own using household staples. White vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can tackle everything from limescale to greasy surfaces." Declutter and sell unwanted items - "Cleaning isn't just about tidying - it's an opportunity to declutter and make some extra cash! Repurpose and upcycle - "Instead of buying new storage solutions, get creative with what you already own." Target high-impact areas -"Focusing on key areas like carpets, sofas, and curtains. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery to absorb odours before vacuuming, effectively removing dust and allergens. Energy-efficient refresh - "Dust and debris can make appliances work harder, so clean behind your fridge and other large appliances to improve their efficiency and reduce energy consumption." She explains: 'Coffee grounds are actually fantastic deodorisers. "Try placing a small bowl or an open container of them in your fridge. They soak up bad smells and leave everything smelling much fresher. "During the summer, when kitchen bins can get a bit whiffy, try sprinkling a handful of coffee grounds into the bottom of a fresh bin bag after changing it. "They'll help absorb unpleasant odours between changes. 'Chopping boards, especially wooden ones, can hang on to strong smells and stains from things like garlic and onion. "To freshen them up, use the same coffee and washing-up liquid paste and scrub gently with a sponge. "The abrasiveness helps lift off food particles and stains, while the coffee neutralises any odours."
BreakingNews.ie
13-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Research shows how used coffee grounds help cancer treatement
According to new research from Dublin City University, leftover coffee grounds have the potential to deliver anti-cancer drugs to the body. The study, published in the journal Nanoscale, took used coffee grounds and generated tiny 'carbon dots' from them, using relatively gentle chemical processes. Advertisement The scientists then explored their properties, finding signs that these materials could hold promise for future biomedical applications, including drug delivery. To carry out the study, the team used two widely available brands of coffee and treated the spent coffee grounds to create carbon dots. The team then analysed the resulting carbon dots using spectroscopy and microscopy, confirming their high quality and uniformity. 'Cancer treatment is advancing all the time, but challenges still remain, including the side-effects of chemotherapy,' explains Prof. Silvia Giordani, whose lab at DCU School of Chemical Sciences led the research. Advertisement 'This is where we believe that nanomedicine, or using tiny nanoparticles such as carbon dots, could help improve treatment effectiveness and potentially reduce side-effects for patients.' 'There was nothing special about the coffee we used, we just went out and bought it off the shelves in shops in Dublin. 'We were pleased to see that we could upcycle the used coffee grounds into these carbon dots, which hold great potential for many different applications, including drug delivery in the body. 'Treating coffee leftovers in this low-cost way eliminates the need for highly toxic heavy metals and reduces energy-intensive reaction times, and it offers a sustainable route to landfill disposal, helping to reduce environmental harm.'
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm a lawn expert -my £1 hack will have your grass looking lush in no time, you probably already have it in the cupboard
A LAWN expert has revealed a £1 hack to make your grass green and lush this spring. With temperatures remaining high this week, after a scorching weekend, many of us likely plan to spend time relaxing in the garden. 1 However, if you're planning on having any guests over for barbecues or garden parties, you may want to give your lawn a bit of a spruce up. And although you may think that keeping your lawn in tip-top condition will cost a bomb, experts at Gardening Known How revealed that you can make your lawn the envy of your neighbours by using a common item found in the kitchen cupboard. The experts explained that coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth and the overall health of your lawn. Coffee grounds can also improve soil structure by making it looser and more aerated, which is good for root growth. The experts explained: "It isn't the caffeine that stimulates healthy grass growth, but rather the nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals that coffee grounds contain. "These nutrients are released slowly, which is a big benefit over quick-release synthetic fertilisers." "The nutrients in coffee grounds are slowly broken down, allowing the turf to have a longer period of time to absorb them ensuring stronger turf for longer." Lilydale Instant Lawns added: "Coffee grounds are an excellent, eco-friendly way to give your lawn a nutrient boost. "They are rich in nitrogen, which is a crucial element for grass growth. Applying coffee grounds to your lawn is straightforward, but it's important to do it correctly to avoid any potential issues." To use coffee grounds on your lawn, simply make sure they're dry and then sprinkle them across the grass. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either Make sure to sprinkle them evenly, to avoid clumping, and then gently rake them into the soil. Coffee grounds are super cheap, and can be picked up from the supermarket for as little as £1, making this hack perfect for penny pinchers. They can also be used as a great natural deterrent to get rid of pests. Slugs and snails hate the gritty texture of coffee, so if you spread it near plants, they will stay away. What's more, they can also suppress the growth of weeds in your garden, making them a useful and versatile product. Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub recently revealed another simple trick you can use to improve the health of your lawn - and it's completely free. The expert revealed that instead of throwing grass clippings away after you finish mowing, you should leave them on the grass. "One of the simplest tricks is to leave your grass clippings after mowing," she told Fabulous. "They break down fast and act as a natural fertiliser, giving your lawn a nutrient boost without costing a penny.' Not only is this hack cost-effective, it will also save you time too, so you can spend more time relaxing in the sun.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Lavender will double in size and produce loads more flowers if you add 45p kitchen staple to soil this spring
THERE'S nothing quite like that relaxing scent of lavender during a warm spring and summer evening. Although it is a quintessential product of Provence, the sturdy shrub has been a gardeners' favourite all over the world and has been cultivated since Ancient Rome. 2 2 May is the perfect time to cultivate this beautiful yet low-maintenance shrub in the garden - and now one expert has revealed how to make the plant double in size thanks to a 45p kitchen staple. The whizz and YouTuber MIgardener explained that to make your lavender plants look fabulous this season you should fertilise it. In the informative clip, the guru recommended liquid nitrogen which can be found in fertilizer. But the amount of nitrogen varies significantly, typically ranging from 15% to 40%. Coffee grounds also contain liquid nitrogen and are a cheaper alternative to fertilizer, costing you around 45p. But coffee grounds typically contain around 1 to 2 percent nitrogen. They also contain small amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. So while not a major source of nitrogen, they can contribute to plant nutrition, particularly when composted or added to soil as a soil amendment. Make sure to dilute the coffee grounds with water before applying them to flowerbeds as otherwise they can be too acidic and harm your plants. Another added bonus of using coffee as a fertiliser over synthetic ones is that it won't damage your l awn. The £14.50 Wickes buy people are swearing by to get rid of weeds on their driveway for GOOD If synthetic fertiliser is applied incorrectly it can reek havoc by burning the grass or contaminating the water, which coffee grounds won't do. On top of that, coffee acts as a slow-release fertiliser, the opposite of synthetic ones. Worms also love coffee and will eat it up along with the soil which in return aerates the lawn to stimulate even more growth. While fertilising your plants and flowers is a must for all gardeners and goes without saying, another key element is picking the right time, he added. According to the green-fingered YouTuber, whose lavender had expanded twice in size, you should fertilise it twice a year. May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine. Dropping his knowledge bombs online, the whizz explained that the first fertilising should take place in spring. ''The goal is to get the plant out of the dormancy, to get it growing very fast. ''And when it grows really fast, all of that new growth is what it's going to flower on. ''We want to get lots of new growth to encourage lots of flowers.'' Once the flowers are gone and the lilac shrub is getting ready for winter, it's time to follow up with the second fertilising about a month or two before the first frost date. While during spring and summer the shrubs need more phosphorus, a winter fertilizer should be higher in potassium to ''help them set up better for spring''. For this, he advised to apply the fertiliser a month or two before the first frost to the base of the plant. ''We pull the foliage up, we dig up a small little trench about an inch deep, sprinkle the fertiliser around the base of the plant. ''Then we simply scratch it in, we water it in well - and that's all we do.
