At Timely, we always strive towards being as sustainable as possible in any way we can. From sourcing second-hand equipment, to building furniture from old pallets, we're always looking for ways to reduce our impact and increase ways to reuse and recycle.

The roasting process has a byproduct known as chaff. Chaff is the thin, papery matter that comes off coffee beans during roasting, and as part of our waste management efforts at Timely, we regularly collect chaff in reused coffee bags to give out to members of the community for free. Chaff can be reused in many ways — keep reading to find out how!

1. Enrich Your Compost

One of the simplest and most effective uses for coffee chaff is composting. Chaff is rich in nitrogen, making it an excellent addition to your compost pile. It can help to balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, ensuring your compost decomposes efficiently and provides nutrient-rich material for your garden. Adding chaff to your compost can improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and boost plant growth.

2. Improve Garden Soil

If you’re an avid gardener, coffee chaff can be directly applied to your soil as a mulch or soil amendment. Its lightweight, fluffy nature makes it easy to spread, and it gradually breaks down, enriching the soil with organic matter. By incorporating chaff into your garden beds, you can improve soil aeration, reduce erosion, and create a healthier environment for your plants.

3. Bedding for Small Animals

Coffee chaff also makes excellent bedding for small animals such as chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs. It’s soft, absorbent, and provides a comfortable layer for your pets. After its use as bedding, it can still be composted, further extending its life and reusability. 

4. Enhance Your Indoor Plants

Coffee chaff can also be useful for folks who enjoy keeping indoor plants. Mixing a very small amount of chaff into your potting soil can help improve aeration and drainage. Just be sure to mix it well with the soil to avoid clumping, and make sure you don't add too much (no more than a small handful).

5. Natural Pest Repellent

Coffee chaff can serve as a natural pest repellent in your garden. Sprinkling chaff around the base of plants can help deter slugs and other pests. Its texture and scent can also create a barrier that pests are reluctant to cross, protecting your plants in an eco-friendly way.

6. BONUS — Keep Cups!

While it's technically not coffee chaff, we wanted to include a shoutout to HuskeeCup, a company that recycles used coffee husk into reusable cups! Find out more about them by clicking here, or visit our Brew Gear page to grab one for yourself.

Love Timely xx

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We're always working towards sustainability at Timely, but we know that our system isn't perfect. We're open to your ideas and questions about upcycling, so if you have thoughts, feel free to share them by sending us an email at contact@timelycoffees.com.au.