Engineers at RMIT University in Australia have developed a method to strengthen concrete by incorporating coffee grounds, reducing waste, and giving coffee waste a second life.
Their innovative technique involves converting waste coffee grounds into biochar using a low-energy process, which is then added to concrete, making it 30% stronger. This development is significant because globally, around 11 million tons of spent coffee grounds are generated annually, and disposing of organic waste like coffee grounds contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane. Additionally, the construction industry relies heavily on natural sand, with 50 billion tons mined each year, and coffee biochar can partially replace this finite resource, making construction more sustainable.
Their work represents a sustainable and innovative approach to repurposing organic waste and promoting resource conservation within the construction industry.