In general, yes. Just go in with a big smile on your face and tell them you read that it is company policy (it is, and you read it here) and set up a schedule with them. Be consistent, they tend to be better about saving them if they see that you really do come regularly.

Some stores already have a bin set up, with silver bags with big "grounds for the garden" stickers on them. If not, wait in line with the paying customers to ask.

I have found that it depends on the individual store, whether they consider it a hassle or not. However staff changes a lot, so even stores that weren't good about saving them for you often will do it if you try again at a different time.

When I have some good cut flowers, or nice little tomatoes, I bring some in to say thank you. It shows that I appreciate that they remember.

Good luck. Hepatica

I know they used to but there have been a couple of discussions lately over on the Soil & Compost forum about an apparent change in policy.

Several folks who used to get them regularly for their compost piles have supposedly been told the company says not to do it any more. I don't know if it is a local store policy or nationwide or what but it sure can't hurt to ask. All they can do is say no. And if they do then there are many other places you can get them. ;)

Dave

I did it up until last week. I am about to deliver a baby so I am taking a hiatus from collecting grounds.

I leave them 2 empty cat litter container (each holds about 30 lbs) with my name and number on it. When it is full they call me for pickup and I leave 2 clean empty boxes.

I would pick up once or twice a week.

I also promised I would drop off some tomatoes when they are ripe ;)

In my experience (and I've used literally TONS of Starbucks grounds over the years) you cannot setup a schedule with them. It's first come first serve. If you are lucky enough to find a store that customers have not already started collecting grounds from (unlikely) it will not last long. Once people see you taking bags of grounds out, they'll either ask you what you are doing with them or ask the store employees. Soon you'll be competing to get to them first.

If you have a regular schedule, someone else will figure it out and adjust there's to get there before you. The best strategy is to just be consistent and accumulate a pile of bags covered with a tarp as the sun degrades the plastic.

If you collect from a store that collects the drip grounds in addition to or instead of the machine "pucks" - expect the bags to leak and ruin the carpet in your car - so use a plastic tote in your car.

If you want, you can break up the pucks without staining your hands by making a frame of 2x4's and a 1/2" or 1/4" hardware cloth scrren and scrape them through the screen with something like a flat shovel.

They really have many uses. Some are:
-- layer around shrubs and then cover with mulch in spring.
-- use in lasagna layers as a green (beans are green before roasting).
-- compost them (again, as a green)
-- mix into soil before and after planting a high N crop.
-- sprinkle over soil as a slug deterrent - still some caffeine content - I haven't read prove this really works, but I believe it does.
-- dry them on a board in the sun and break fine. Use as an organic, time release lawn fertilizer. Spread heavily when grass is dry.

In my area the grounds are in high demand. I work graveyard shift and that is the only time I have a chance to get some. During day they go fast and even late night/early morning they may not be any left. I use them for compost and they make up about 50% of my compost ingredients. Good stuff.

My husband picks them up in the city where he works...if he is lucky to get there first. This week pickings are slim, last week they were good and my asparagus beds were happy!

Peggy

Not to get too offtrack, but...

Can I just use fresh coffee grounds from my coffee pot in the garden? I use them on roses but have not thought to use them on the veggies. Are there any veggies I should not put them on?

Ania

Ania, just don't layer them on too thickly, as they repel water. Sprinkle lightly and/or cover them or mix them with mulch. I don't know of any veggies who don't like them on the surface of the soil.

I am the only user of a coffee club refuse. About 15 gallons a year, nothing major. With that, one can compost about 300 lbs of leaves or 200 of wood chips. Basically, one raised bed year worth of compost. I gave up Starbucks long ago, same reasons as other posters. It is difficult to get enough this way.