Perhaps you’ve just enjoyed a delicious Chemex coffee cup and are now wondering the best way to dispose of the paper filter. Are Chemex filters compostable? Or is there any other way to reuse the thick paper filter?
Can you reuse Chemex filters?
The Chemex white and brown filters are uniquely designed with North American laboratory-grade bonded paper almost 30% thicker than Hario V60 or other pour-over or drip coffee filters. Unfortunately, they are also more expensive, so you might wonder if cleaning Chemex filters and reusing them to brew coffee more than once would work.
You can get away with pouring over your used coffee grounds to brew the next pot of coffee right away, but the quality would not be as good as the first pot of coffee. However, reusing a Chemex coffee filter to brew coffee more than once is generally not recommended, even if you rinse and dry the filter after use. You will not reach the clean coffee taste if you do so.
A Chemex coffee filter has a protective layer that filters all unhealthy coffee oils, fats, and other impurities. Unfortunately, this layer is only suitable for one use when it comes to coffee brewing. However, Chemex filters can have many alternative uses, so you don’t have to throw them right into the bin.
Are Chemex coffee filters compostable?
The good news for coffee lovers is that Chemex coffee filters are biodegradable. So adding coffee filters to your compost is a more eco-friendly option than throwing them away.
Composting coffee grounds and coffee filters create organic matter and reduce unneeded waste in landfills. In addition, you can use naturally made soil for growing indoor plants or harvesting vegetables.
Chemex filter paper is high-quality and does not have a plastic coating. In addition, the filters are made from trees that have been harvested ethically and follow sustainability standards.
You might be concerned that white Chemex filters have been bleached and, therefore, unsuitable for composting. While many regular coffee filters are produced using bleaching, Chemex manufacturers apply a bleach-free oxygen cleansing method to make the white coffee filters.
Chemex filters go through a series of hot water baths to remove any taste of chemicals and leftover residue. So whether you buy white or brown Chemex filters, they are all unbleached and suitable for making compost.
How to compost Chemex filters
Composting your food scraps, used coffee filters, and yard materials is a great way to reduce the organic waste you contribute to the landfill. However, having the proper ratio of compost components and water is crucial.
The nitrogen and carbon-rich organic products will help your Chemex filters disintegrate. So knowing the basics of composting at home will help you ensure proper Chemex filter decomposition.
1. Prepare coffee filters and grounds for compost
There’s no need to take out the coffee grounds to make coffee filters compostable. It’s OK to leave the ground coffee in the filter as long as you break it down into smaller pieces so it can decompose quickly. So just rip the paper filter up as you throw it into your compost pile.
If you were to throw the whole thing into your compost heap, the breaking down process would take much longer. However, the world won’t end if you slip up and forget this step on occasion.
2. Choose your composting spot
You must decide where you want to set up your compost pile. A shady spot in your backyard is ideal, but a bin that closes tightly can work even in your house. As you look for a composting container, several types of bins, totes and even tumblers can be purchased online or at your local hardware or gardening supply store.
3. Prepare green materials
In composting, “green material” refers to fruit and vegetable kitchen scraps. It includes banana peels, eggshells, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and even tea bags.
These “green” scraps contribute to the materials that provide nitrogen to your compost mix.
4. Gather brown materials
Adding brown materials to provide carbon to your compost is also crucial. Brown materials would include dry leaves, branches, and twigs. Never add yard materials that you suspect contain pesticides or chemicals.
Always look up the plants before adding them in if you’re unsure.
It is critical to understand the proper ratios of green and brown materials. A general rule for layering a compost pile is a 3:1 ratio of brown to green materials.
Now that your pile is rich in nitrogen and carbon, it requires moisture.
5. Add water
For the compost to develop, having the right amount of water sprayed onto your compostable items will be crucial for the materials to decompose.
Keep a water hose handy, and be cautious not to overexpose the compost pile to too large amounts of water. An appropriate moisture level is 50%, ensuring that the mixed items are neither too wet nor too dry. The moisture levels would be similar to watering a plant to partially moist the soil.
6. Maintain a compost pile
To break down your materials, you have to turn and mix them regularly, like you would toss a salad, so they are evenly distributed with moisture and air. It will help speed up the decomposition process. Use a pitchfork or shovel to aerate the compost, and wear gloves if you are digging into your pile with your hands.
With a composting tumbler, you just need to turn the handle over a few times to get the materials inside mixed through.
7. Choose to outsource
When you don’t have enough space for a backyard compost heap, the perfect solution might be to give your compostable materials to someone else who does. If you look online, you may be able to find someone in your area who collects compostable materials, perhaps a local farmer or farmers’ market. Some cities also collect compost and yard debris in the same way that trash cans are regularly picked up.
Have you decided to outsource compost making? In that case, you’ll need a countertop pail or stainless steel bin to collect food scraps, used coffee grounds, and used coffee filters. Once your compost bin is full, deliver its contents to where the composting is done.
How long does it take for Chemex filters to decompose?
Several factors influence decomposing coffee filters and grounds in a compost pile. Some bins and compost totes can properly decompose the contents in less than a month with the right air temperature, water level, and brown and green materials layering. However, larger organic waste bins can take a month to a year to complete.
While composting Chemex coffee filters can seem overwhelming at first, with some help from gardeners and composting professionals, you’ll be on your way to reducing organic waste and creating rich soil.
11 alternative uses for Chemex coffee filters
While composting is a great way to dispose of used coffee filters, sometimes it may not be possible. If you live in an apartment with limited space or aren’t ready to get your hands dirty, there are many alternative ways to reuse Chemex filters. Just remember to rinse and dry the used filter first.
1. Line plant pots
Keeping the dirt associated with house plants at bay takes some effort. Why not place a used Chemex filter within the pot as a liner when planting? It will help keep the surrounding area clean and prevent staining on the floor or furniture around the plant pot.
2. Collect kitchen scraps
Chemex filter can serve for collecting food scraps as you cook. When cutting up vegetables, greens, or fruits, use the paper filter as a “garbage” bowl and add it to your compost pile or garbage pail with all the food scraps when finished.
2. Blot oil from fried food
Using coffee filters as an oil blotter for fried foods is a great alternative to paper towels. Next time you cook bacon or French fries, take a washed and dried coffee filter and blot out the excess oils. Another option is to set the coffee filter on a plate and place the deep-fried item on top, allowing it to drain the excess fat.
4. Use as a coaster
We all have items in our kitchen or bathroom that leak out oils or liquids. Using a clean Chemex coffee filter as a mat underneath these items will keep your cabinets, counters, and glass surfaces clean.
5. Cover food in a microwave
Using Chemex paper filters to cover food in the microwave is another alternative to a paper towel. For example, when heating up soup or other liquid items, place the filter on top to keep the moisture in. In addition, it will stop any food or liquid from splashing inside the microwave. Another advantage of reusing the Chemex filter is cleaning the microwave with it and wiping out any residue.
6. Clean glass surfaces
You can use Chemex filters to substitute paper towels for cleaning glass surfaces. Simply spray with Windex or a similar spray and wipe your glass table, mirror, or window with the dry paper filter.
7. Wrap sandwiches
Wrapping sandwiches in clean Chemex filters may not be the first thing that comes to your mind, but it will reduce the use of plastic bags, food wrap, or aluminum foil. In addition, the bonded paper filter will prevent the bread from getting soggy.
8. Make animal cage bedding
Another way to reuse Chemex coffee filters is by lining animal cages. If you have a hamster or guinea pig, break down coffee filters into smaller pieces and add them to the bottom of the cage. Alternatively, you can give your pet the whole piece to keep them entertained.
9. Protect your plates
Stack the coffee filters between your favorite glass plates and bowls in the cupboard to prevent them from cracking or scratching. It will also help avoid the marks of dried water drops on your crockery after washing.
Chemex paper filters can also be used when packing for a move. They will create a non-abrasive layer between your dishes.
10. Use to grease baking dishes
The Chemex filter can serve to grease your baking tray or pan. Whether you are using butter or oil, this is a great way to ensure the baking surface is coated evenly.
11. Line food steamers
Do you like cooking using a food steamer? Why not line it with a Chemex filter, so your food doesn’t stick to its bottom? It is a genius way to put a washed paper filter to good use once again.
Are Chemex coffee filters bad for the environment?
No matter how much you love coffee, it’s evident that using a single-use coffee filter daily can add up over time. In addition, reducing garbage is generally considered a meaningful way to improve the environment. Still, many ways exist to mitigate the problems associated with single-use paper filters. They are compostable, biodegradable, and have a few alternative uses.
A Chemex paper filter might be best if you prefer light coffee containing subtle flavors. However, you may consider a reusable metal filter for your Chemex coffee maker. It will save you cash as you won’t need to buy paper filters regularly. In addition, a stainless steel mesh filter will bring out a bolder and less acidic taste, which some people may prefer.
An alternative to reducing the paper filter waste can be the French press, which does not require paper filters. Coffee made with a French press differs from Chemex coffee in flavor and texture. However, as long as you use freshly roasted coffee beans, it’s still quality coffee. Also, most cold-brew coffee makers don’t require paper filters, so this is another option to consider.
Your coffee drinking experience will be even more enjoyable when you do your best to limit waste. Composting Chemex filters is the best way to dispose of them, as they are biodegradable. So why not create a compost pile right in the backyard of your home, fertilize your garden and help the environment.
