Coffee grounds to create furniture
The bad tongues comment that the coffee it is the second most consumed drink in the world, of course, after water. So we can already imagine the environmental impact it has.
The daily gesture of emptying the filter or coffee pot into the garbage can, those Coffee grounds, represents a huge amount of waste worldwide.
Faced with this problem, there are several proposals that we will show, but, first, it is up to the project Nescafé Coffee Table.
The coffee table - Nescafé Coffee Table aims to show us that it is possible to transform the coffee grounds into an object strong, elegant and that we all have a small table at home!
Nescafé Canada partnered with Canadian designer Jesson Moen's Rethink agency to build a coffee table unique, made with real coffee grounds.
To be exact, some 16 kilos of coffee grounds. Mixed with ecological resin based on soy and compressed in molds at high pressure with subsequent polishing and mounting.
In fact, the cabinet is designed to draw attention to the platform of Nescafé Cup of Respect. A brand initiative that explains how coffee is grown, processed and packaged in a "respectful" way.
Using less water and advising farmers (coffee growers) to plant various crops to combat the monoculture production that prevails in the category.
As Carm DaSilva, Vice President of Marketing, explains … "The global brand uses 10% of the world's coffee, which means that its sustainability commitments to improve the planet have a disproportionate impact compared to the competition".
Good for the brand's initiatives in trying to benefit the environment and promote sustainability, but not everything is so beautiful.
And more, when the narrative about "sustainability" comes from large companies, the concept of Greenwashing or "Green washing" is always on the lookout when looking at the Greenpeace report The Climate Emergency Unpacked where Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestlé (Nescafé), among others, they do not come out very well. But that is another story!
But… Are there other projects that recycle coffee grounds? Well yes, and they are quite interesting.
Starting by Of coffee. A material made with coffee grounds, natural binders and mineral fillers with which they have been able to create a wide variety of really beautiful objects.
They have lamps, all kinds of vases, candle holders, etc. And also, adding value to society, a 10! And you can check the Decafé company HERE.
The program Greencup, supplies the most modern offices across the UK with fair trade coffee and then collects their waste for composting. From there came the idea of Re-Worked, a non-profit product that uses coffee waste and used plastic to create a new material called Çurface. A material that is durable, pleasant to the touch and also has the aroma of coffee.
Different pieces of furniture appeared from that last project, even Google at the time used Greencup services and bought designer furniture manufactured by Re-Worked.
From Germany, the Kaffeeform company manufactures coffee cups, mugs, plates made from used coffee grounds. They started in 2009, after countless espressos and experiments they came up with the prototype. Dishes are durable, lightweight, and dishwasher safe.
Although it seems crazy, coffee residues can also be used in the textile field. From sports such as the Nat-2 brand that launched its Coffee Line to t-shirts.
The Taiwanese company Singtex. You are providing fresh clothing that has additional benefits like deodorizing properties. They use a proprietary process to recycle used coffee scraps into yarn, which is then turned into fabrics that are resistant to odors and even UV rays.
And if you look a little more on the Internet, in reality, there are a lot of initiatives where research is carried out and many others directly manufacture all kinds of objects, sports, dresses, etc.
You also don't have to be an engineer to recycle coffee grounds. We can give it several uses for its properties, even if it is a waste:
- They are good as compost for plants, vegetables and excellent substrate for growing fungi and mushrooms. If you have an urban garden at home or some indoor plants that bring joy, they are perfect.
- Anti odor. The coffee residue has the ability to trap and neutralize bad odors. An uncovered container with dry coffee grounds inside helps keep cupboards and refrigerators free of odors.
- Coffee wastes, for some insects are useful to keep away from home, like ants and snails. Be careful, cats do not like it either, but if you want them not to appear in the home garden, it is an option.
- The coffee grounds (dry grounds) being a fine granulate, they are abrasive. If it is mixed with moisturizing oil and applied to the skin with circular massages. The coffee residue is a magnificent exfoliator that keeps the skin soft, both on the body and on the face.
- If you mix coffee grounds with coconut oil, you have an effective and homemade anti-cellulite. The antioxidants that coffee contains, and that remain in its residue, help fight the fat that accumulates under the skin.
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