There are few areas where no waste is generated through production or consumption. Coffee production is no exception. After picking and processing of coffee beans, green coffee is packaged in 60-70 kg fabric bags, which are relatively convenient for transport. At coffee roasteries the bags are emptied and discarded. By way of a particularly cruel comparison, it can be said that green coffee bags are just like plastic bags which are only used for the time it takes to get from the shop to your home. After that it becomes waste.
The green coffee bags are usually made from durable natural fibers like jute or sisal. Although they are both biodegradable it takes time to decompose which is why discarding them as garbage is not exactly sustainable. Following are some ideas how the very cool looking coffee bags can have a longer and more meaningful cycle of existence.
COFFEE BAGS IN INTERIOR DESIGN
One way to lengthen the life cycle of coffee bags is to use them in interior decoration. They can be used to make rugs, curtains, lamp shades etc.
All you need to make a simple yet striking rug is one coffee bag and a pair of scissors. To make a coffee bag rug you need to cut the bag from the seams, iron it a little and lay it on the floor. Voilà! A rug is born! Another cool interior design element you can make from coffee bags is a curtain, either for a doorway or windows. Those who have more time and willingness to peck, can make a very eye-catching lamp shade from a coffee bag.
If you’re lucky enough to have a seating area in the garden or on the terrace, coffee bags can be used to make seat covers to soften the seats. Beds or nests for pets can be made in a similar way. This requires a few coffee bags, scissors, thread and filling material for the bags. For example, foam pieces, hay, batting and the like are suitable.
COFFEE BAGS IN THE GARDEN
Those interested in gardening will also find exciting re(or up)cycling options for coffee bags!
If you are tired of weeding, but do not want to use the synthetic weed blankets, they can be easily replaced with coffee bags. Coffee bags are also useful for those whose trees are being eaten by wild animals. The bag can be easily wound and fastened around trees to protect them from unwanted nibbling.
Coffee bags can also be used in the garden as planting pots, where you can plant tomato or cucumber plants, for example. Or why not form a unique flower bed from a series of coffee bags? If you do not have a garden, the material of the coffee bags can be used as a lining for planting pots. As both jute and sisal have a very good absorbency, they help to keep the soil moist around the plants for a longer time, reducing the need for constant watering.
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS
The above are just some of the easiest ways to use coffee bags. Those who have more craft grooves and will to work will find more opportunities for that. For example, there are tutorials on the Internet on how to make aprons, shopping bags, wine bottle holders, baskets, etc. from coffee bags. There are many ideas for reusing, all you need to do is get started!
If this article made you feel like you would totally like to try to make something cool out of coffee bags give us a call or write to [email protected] !