Australian researchers turn morning coffee waste into greener concrete
An Australian university is turning used coffee grounds into a material that can be added to concrete, making it stronger and more sustainable. This process could potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions from concrete production. The biochar created from coffee waste can replace up to 15% of the sand used in concrete, making the concrete 30% stronger and reducing the amount of cement needed by up to 10%. This innovation has the potential to reduce the amount of sand extracted for concrete production, which is environmentally destructive and in short supply. The coffee concrete has already been used in constructing a footpath, and there are plans to expand its use in major road projects. Millions of tons of used coffee grounds are produced globally and could be turned into biochar for concrete applications, potentially reducing emissions from food waste as well. Other universities are also researching the use of biochar in concrete, but RMIT was the first to utilize waste coffee grounds in this way.