Coffee waste transforms concrete: New construction breakthrough
Scientists have taken a closer look at one of the most underestimated types of waste, which is produced daily in large quantities worldwide. Their research has shown, among other things, that coffee grounds not only strengthen plants but also improve concrete.
Coffee grounds are often overlooked as waste. Plant enthusiasts have been using them for years to fertilize flowers, shrubs, and vegetables in their gardens. These grounds are rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In smaller amounts, they also provide magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, which are beneficial for plant growth. Additionally, forums have circulated recipes for body scrubs using coffee grounds, and people have even sprinkled them on sidewalks in the winter for traction. Scientists have now discovered yet another use for coffee waste.
Coffee grounds bond well with cement and improve concrete structure
Australian scientists have found that the potential of coffee grounds is significant, especially in the construction industry. They demonstrated that when coffee waste is processed in a specific way, it can increase the strength of concrete by 30 percent. This finding is documented in research from RMIT University in Melbourne, published in the "Journal of Cleaner Production."
The process of enhancing concrete involves treating coffee grounds through pyrolysis—an energy-efficient process that involves heating them to 662 degrees Fahrenheit without oxygen, thereby minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. Dr. Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch from the RMIT team, as cited by "The Guardian," notes that this method can also help reduce coffee waste from capsules.
Scientists are looking for more uses for coffee grounds
When transformed into biochar (a substance similar to charcoal), coffee grounds can partially replace sand used in concrete. Scientists emphasize that the pyrolysis process used in this method is energy efficient. They have also reported that the grounds become a porous material through this reuse, which enhances bonding with cement and improves the concrete structure.
Although technologies that utilize coffee waste in construction are still in the early stages, scientists plan further tests. They are already collaborating with local authorities to explore the practical application of this method in infrastructure, such as building sidewalks. Transforming coffee grounds into construction materials not only reduces landfill waste but also suggests the potential production of 24,800 tons of eco-friendly concrete annually if all coffee grounds in Australia are processed.
