Dyeing handkerchiefs with boiled coffee grounds – volunteers get creative at Hong Kong charity drive

Ever wondered if coffee grounds can be reused instead of simply throwing them away after you have enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee? Volunteers at a Hong Kong restaurant chain’s charity drive have a unique answer for this – tie dyeing handkerchiefs.

The crisp, coffee-coloured pieces of cloths unfurl into special patterns when wrapped around marbles or sticks and dipped into a pot of boiling coffee grounds for 30 minutes.

Earlier this month, as part of Operation Santa Claus, an annual joint charity campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, volunteers showcased their creative coffee-themed streak at Maxim’s.

The dried handkerchiefs will be used to wrap almond stick biscuits for 100 wheelchair-bound elderly at charity Rehabaid Society.

Volunteers also designed and wrote little Christmas cards to be presented with each gift, bearing festive greetings and well wishes of good health.

Participant Eddie Sae-Fong said beyond being a meaningful experience, the workshop also made him think of how to better make use of waste.