☕ Upcycle & Reuse
Creative Ways to Reuse Burlap Coffee Sacks
Burlap coffee sacks are strong, breathable, biodegradable, and surprisingly versatile. Here are eight of the best ways to put them to work — in the garden, around the house, and in your craft room.
Want to try these projects yourself? Buy burlap coffee bags from Java Momma here.
8 Burlap Coffee Sack Craft Ideas
1. Planter Pots
Burlap coffee bags are strong, breathable, and biodegradable — perfect for DIY planter pots. Cut a sack into smaller pieces for herbs and flowers, or use a full bag for larger plants. The burlap provides excellent drainage while retaining soil moisture, and since it decomposes naturally you can plant the whole sack directly in the ground without disturbing the roots. If you need to move the planter, place a wooden board underneath for easy lifting — the bottom can start to degrade within a couple of months.
2. Tote Bags
A burlap coffee sack makes a sturdy, good-looking tote bag — and it's a solid beginner sewing project. Cut the sack into two large panels and three smaller pieces, sew them together, and add handles. Line the inside with linen, cotton, or canvas to prevent shedding and give it a cleaner finish. Good for shopping, beach trips, or everyday use.
3. Dog Bed
A burlap coffee bag makes a hammock-style dog bed that's breathable, durable, and easy to make. Cut a small hole in each bottom corner, slip it over a medium steel frame, and align the holes with the frame's feet. Secure the edges with staples or stitches. The breathable fabric keeps dogs comfortable and holds up well to daily use.
4. Rustic Cushions
Cut two square pieces of burlap, stitch around the edges leaving a small gap, flip inside out, stuff with cushion filling, and sew the opening shut. Line the inside with cotton fabric for extra durability. The texture adds a natural, rustic look to any room without any complicated technique.
5. Home Decor
Burlap sacks adapt well to a range of home decor projects:
- Wall art — stretch burlap over a wooden frame and stencil on a custom design
- Table runners — cut and hem a coffee sack for a rustic dining table look
- Lampshades — wrap burlap around an existing lampshade frame for a warm, textured finish
- Seasonal wreaths — cut burlap into strips and hand-craft a wreath for any time of year
6. Food Storage
Burlap's breathable weave allows proper air circulation, which prevents rot and premature ripening. Use burlap sacks to store potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, and pears. Hang onions and garlic in a cool dark place; stack potatoes and apples in crates with burlap layers in between to maintain freshness.
7. Garden Weed Barrier
Swap synthetic landscape fabric for biodegradable burlap. Lay it flat over garden beds and secure with mulch. It retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and decomposes naturally over time, enriching the soil rather than sitting in a landfill.
8. Compost Cover
Burlap sacks make an excellent cover for compost piles — they retain moisture while allowing proper aeration, keep pests out, and encourage the microbial activity that makes composting work. When the burlap eventually breaks down it can go straight into the compost itself.
More Burlap Craft Inspiration
- Coffee Cup Cozy — reusable cozies made from burlap scraps. A quick project that reduces paper waste.
- Christmas Stockings — burlap makes a charming rustic holiday stocking with minimal sewing required.
- Aprons — sturdy and stylish, a burlap apron holds up to real kitchen or garden use.
Get Your Burlap Coffee Sacks: Java Momma sells burlap coffee bags ready for your next project. Shop burlap coffee bags here.
Burlap coffee sacks are one of those materials that get better the more you work with them. Strong enough for garden use, flexible enough for sewing projects, and biodegradable enough to feel good about using. Pick up a few and see what you make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy burlap coffee sacks?
Java Momma sells burlap coffee bags directly — you can buy them here. As a coffee roasting company we use these sacks in our operation and sell them ready for upcycling and craft projects. They ship across the US.
Are burlap coffee sacks food safe?
Burlap coffee sacks are used commercially to transport raw coffee beans and are generally considered food safe in that context. For food storage use — potatoes, onions, garlic — they work well because of the breathable weave. If you're concerned about residues from the original coffee, give the sack a good shake out and air it thoroughly before use. For direct food contact beyond storage, washing and drying thoroughly is recommended.
How do you clean a burlap coffee sack before using it for crafts?
Shake out any remaining coffee debris and air the sack outdoors for a day or two to let any residual coffee smell dissipate. For craft projects where the sack won't contact food, that's usually sufficient. For sewing projects, you can hand wash in cold water with mild soap and lay flat to dry — avoid machine washing as burlap can shrink and fray significantly. Iron while slightly damp to flatten before cutting.
Can burlap coffee sacks be composted?
Yes — burlap is a natural jute fiber and fully biodegradable. It can go directly into a compost pile where it will break down over time and add carbon material to the compost. It decomposes faster when cut into smaller pieces. This makes burlap one of the few craft materials you can use for a project and then compost when it's worn out.
What size are burlap coffee sacks?
Standard commercial burlap coffee sacks are typically around 24 x 36 inches and hold approximately 60–70 kg of green coffee beans. The exact dimensions vary slightly by origin country and supplier. Java Momma's burlap bags are sourced from our coffee roasting operation — check the product listing for current dimensions.
