Coffee roaster pioneers green technology using coffee waste

A British coffee roasting business has devised a “pioneering technology” that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and creates a zero waste, carbon neutral roasting process with a much reduced carbon footprint.

The process means that consumers can enjoy the beverage knowing that the waste resulting from the production of their coffee is being used in a positive way to fuel an energy-efficient green coffee roasting plant, Dorset-based 918 Coffee said.

The Coffe-Eco System provides roasters, suppliers, retailers and consumers with an environmentally friendly, sustainable solution to reducing waste as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The process starts with “eco-roasting” the fresh coffee, packing into eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable packaging and labelling, and delivering to the customer.

Once the customer has consumed the coffee they use the environmentally friendly bags and collection bins provided to store the coffee waste ready for collection. Once collected, the coffee waste is processed using secondary heat from the eco-roast process and the coffee fuel is then used to roast new batches of coffee in the new eco-roaster. The Coffe-Eco System also uses 100% compostable cups and lids for its coffee.

The project has been developed to help address the 500,000 tonnes of coffee waste that ends up in landfill every year, according to figures from the International Coffee Organisation.

918 Coffee co-founder Justin Cornelius said: “I couldn’t help notice that while measures are in place to make the industry more sustainable, protecting habitats and workers’ livelihoods through Fairtrade and the Rainforest Alliance, very little was being done after coffee consumption.

“Coffee is the world’s second largest commodity, second only to oil, and is responsible for more than 1.8m tonnes of CO2 emissions produced in the UK alone. Our eco-roast technology will make substantial reductions in the roasting, packaging and disposal parts of the process and is predicted to reduce overall CO2 emissions by around 10%. Whether you are an individual who enjoys delicious coffee, a coffee shop or a blue chip corporation, both you and the planet will benefit from using our trademarked Coffe-Eco system.”