Coffee is one of the top commodities produced and commercialized in the world. Coffee processing generates significant amounts of agricultural waste, ranging from 30% to 50% the weight of the total coffee produced, depending on the type of processing. Coffee husks and pulp are the major solid residues from the processing of coffee. Those wastes dumped in piles release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that degrades the environment.
Huskee, a company based in Australia, uses those discarded coffee husks to make a sustainable and eco-friendly coffee cup and replace disposable plastic mugs and cups cafés use. They melt the coffee husk down and form pellets. Then, they mix this with an eco-composite polymer and use injection molding to produce the cups.
Woodpecker, a Bogota-based company bases in Columbia, combines recycled plastic with those discarded coffee husks to create a new material for sustainable homes because coffee husk is fireproof, extremely durable, and even resistant to insects. They make Lego-like kits that can easily be assembled on site, with a steel frame and coffee husk boards that click together easily with minimal construction knowledge and tools required.
In addition to making coffee cups and building materials, Coffee husk is also used as a fertilizer, biogas generation, compost and sustainable car seat covers.
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