Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Scientists Discovered a Practical and Sustainable Use for Coffee Grounds. Solution Helps Combat Waste and Can Benefit Multiple Industries. See What It Is
A new study in Australia could transform the way we handle organic waste and also impact the construction industry. Scientists found that coffee grounds, when processed correctly, can make concrete 30% stronger.
The idea came from researchers at RMIT University. They were looking for solutions to help reduce the environmental impact of both waste disposal and construction. Their recipe seems to tackle two problems at once.
The Problem of Coffee Waste and Sand Extraction
Every year, the world throws away about 10 billion kilograms of coffee waste. Most of it ends up in landfills. This disposal harms the environment as it releases gases like methane and carbon dioxide. These gases are among the main contributors to climate change.
-
Ocean warming could release a hidden wave of methane and raise alarm among scientists about a dangerous cycle capable of further accelerating climate change.
-
Chinese artificial intelligence that independently solved in 80 hours an open mathematical problem posed 12 years ago by American Dan Anderson — and proved its own result
-
World’s largest cargo drone makes first flight in China with a capacity of 3.5 tons and a range of over 3,000 km to transform air logistics.
-
Anatel cracks down and cancels over 5,000 CNPJs of internet providers, intensifying the fight against illegal operations.
“The disposal of organic waste poses an environmental challenge, as it emits large amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, that contribute to climate change,” said engineer Rajeev Roychand from RMIT University in 2023.
At the same time, the construction sector is growing in many countries. This creates a huge demand for concrete, a material that requires large amounts of sand. Normally, this sand comes from rivers. The extraction has a direct impact on the environment.
“The continued extraction of natural sand around the world — typically taken from riverbeds and banks — to meet the growing demands of the construction industry has a significant impact on the environment,” stated Jie Li, another engineer from RMIT University.
How Coffee Grounds Make Concrete Stronger
The team of researchers decided to test a different approach. They wanted to use coffee grounds, but it wasn’t that simple. When directly mixed into concrete, the used coffee powder releases chemicals that weaken the mixture.
To resolve this issue, they turned to a process called pyrolysis. Basically, they heated the coffee waste to over 350 °C without letting oxygen in. This heating breaks down the molecules and creates a porous material called biochar, rich in carbon. This material can bond with cement.
The team also tested pyrolysis at 500 °C, but the results were not as good. The particles became weaker. According to Roychand, the secret lies in finding the right temperature.
Next Steps and Other Possibilities
The use of biochar made from coffee grounds yielded interesting results. However, there are still questions. The researchers stated that they need to conduct long-term tests. They want to understand how this new type of concrete performs over time, in situations like freezing, water absorption, and abrasion.
Besides coffee, the team has also begun testing other waste materials. They are studying the use of wood, food scraps, and even agricultural waste to create new types of biochar.
For engineer Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, the research goes beyond construction. “The inspiration for my research, from an Indigenous perspective, involves caring for the land, ensuring there is a sustainable life cycle for all materials, and preventing things from being sent to landfills to minimize environmental impact.”
The research is still in its early stages, but it shows a promising path. Transforming waste into useful materials could be one way to balance development and sustainability.
With information from Science Alert.
Be the first to react!