Biodegradable Flower Pots Out of Coffee Grounds!

Did you know coffee grounds still have a lot of good uses after they've been used?

In this instructable we'll make a flower pot that is completely biodegradable.
This means that you can put the plant with the pot in the ground when the plant has withered.
It is biodegradable because the base materials are water, flour and coffee grounds (a good compost material).

These pots are easy and fun to make and are ideal for kitchen herbs that can later on be planted in your garden.

Optional:
- Create your own pot shape (Step 4)
- Add your own logo (Step 5)


This instructable is part of a system called Coffee Cycle:
Bike pannier (front & rear)
Coffee grounds collector
Burlap sack for bicycle basket

Tell me more about the Coffee Cycle project!

Step 1: Materials

Materials for one flower pot:
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of coffee grounds
- 1/2 cup of water
- Biodegradable flower pot
- Plastic container

Optional for a logo:
- Balsa wood
- Carving knife

Step 2: Mix the Coffee & Flour

Add one cup of flour and one cup of coffee grounds to a container.
Stir well until you become a light-brownish even mixture. 

Step 3: Add Water

Add water in small amounts to the mixture. Stir well each time. The end result should have a muddy texture.

Step 4: Coat the Flower Pot

Coat the biodegradable pot with the mixture. Make sure you leave no gaps and the mixture is spread even all the way around.
Flatten the top (the pots bottom) so the pot wont be able to tip over.

TIP: Instead of using a biodegradable pot, you can also use an existing pot or create your own pot (create a mould out of clay or plaster).
You will need to remove the existing pot / mould after baking to maintain the biodegradable aspect.

Step 5: Design Your Own Logo (Optional)

Draw your logo on a piece of paper and cut it out. Transfer it on the balsa wood (or choose an other material) by pencil or just carve around your paper drawing. Sand of the rough edges that might be left over.
Place the balsa logo on your flower pot and press gently.

Step 6: Bake!

Your environmentally friendly flower pot is now ready for the oven!
Bake the pot for 40 minutes at 120 degrees Celcius (or 248 degrees Fahrenheit).

The end result should be sturdy and is pretty water resistant.
Incase you want a full water resistance, you can apply a biodegradable varnish layer on the inside.


This instructable is part of a system called Coffee Cycle:
Bike pannier (front & rear)
Coffee grounds collector
Burlap sack for bicycle basket

Tell me more about the Coffee Cycle project!