Create Stunning experiences
Waste X Eco Project
Our Mission
Our project turns used coffee grounds into something meaningful. What started as a small experiment—comparing two flower pots, one with coffee grounds and one without—grew into a mission to reuse waste sustainably. We transform discarded grounds into natural fertilizers, deodorizers, and learning materials, showing how simple actions can make a lasting impact on the environment.
Before Using…
Each year, around 1000 metric tons of coffee grounds are produced, and most of those are wasted. The number is huge, but we can think of something to change that situation. This is also our intention: to make the world better by recycling coffee grounds in the process. To use coffee grounds on plants, however, requires more than just drinking coffee. You have to ferment it to make it better, but how?
Science Behind It…
01
Phosphorus
Phosphorus controls the energy transfer of the plant. It is in charge of the flower blooming and the root development of the plant.
02
Nitrogen
The essential element for photosynthesis. Developed and made chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Also, very essential for protein synthesis.
03
Potassium
Controls the guard cells of the stomata and regulates water. It is also the activator for the enzymes (which control the efficiency of the plants in all actions).
04
Coffee Grounds
Caffeine is a defensive chemical made by coffee plants. It works to disrupt the flow of insects and other plants in the area. So, in order to show itself, it affects the enzyme functions of plants. Also, they can provide too much nitrogen if not fermented enough.
05
Fermenting
Fermenting coffee grounds allows beneficial microbes to break down organic compounds in the grounds. During the process, acids and harmful materials are reduced, while elements mentioned before, P, N, and K, break down into forms that plants can more easily absorb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why coffee grounds?
We feel like coffee is an essential part of almost everyone’s life, and coffee grounds are one of the most nutritious waste products out there in this world. With those in mind, we think modifying with coffee grounds can be both beneficial to the plants and the environment as a whole.
What kind of plants are suitable?
It depends on the type of soil those plants desire. Since coffee is a slightly acidic substance, it’s better for us to use those fertilizers on plants that love acidic soils. For example, blueberries, azaleas, and hydrangeas.
How long does it take to ferment?
Really depends on the area that you live in, but usually for us it’s about a week or so.
Where did we get the coffee grounds?
We visit multiple convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, and coffee shops like Starbucks to collect coffee grounds for our experiments.
Can coffee grounds harm my plants?
Fresh coffee grounds can be too acidic for plants to absorb, but fermented and mixed coffee grounds can benefit plant growth!