Used coffee grounds

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/used-coffee-grounds

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the potential applications?Includes biofuels, bioplastics, composite materials, cosmetics, soil enrichment, and animal feed
2. What is the environmental impact?Diversion from landfills reduces methane emissions and promotes a circular economy
3. Why shouldn't we throw used coffee grounds in the trash?When they go to a landfill, they can produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. By reusing them, we keep the planet cleaner and help the soil grow better.
4. How can used coffee grounds help plants?Used coffee grounds slowly release nitrogen into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer. Their slightly acidic pH can also be good for certain plants, and they help soil hold water.

Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG): The residue remaining after coffee beans have been brewed to extract their soluble compounds.
Valorization: The process of converting waste materials into more valuable products.
Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.