Now Collecting Coffee Grounds

With the help of facilities, Resource Recover Supervisor Steve Sweeney, and Assistant Director for Sustainable Programs Tyler Kidder, USM Dining is officially diverting all coffee grounds from the waste stream! Coffee grounds need no additional supplements, replicate a fast acting fertilizer, and are good for soil, house plants, and vegetable gardens. Coffee grounds are also high in nitrogen; by sprinkling them around trees and other plants before watering, they provide a slow release of nitrogen into the soil. They have even been known to guard off pesky pests! Coffee grounds will be collected from all residential and retail locations on both Portland and Gorham campuses. While we don't have exact numbers yet, we have estimated that this will save over 150 pounds of coffee from going into the trash, each week!