Iris / Host

Globally, we drink 2 billion cups of coffee daily—generating 40,000 tons of used grounds. In landfills, they release methane, a greenhouse gas far worse than CO₂. But what if we could give coffee waste a second life? Let’s explore how it’s being transformed. 

Inside the lab, we found everything from sleek gadgets to playful figurines—even furniture. All 3D-printed from a blend of coffee grounds and innovative materials. 

Professor Wong Ka Hing / Director, Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Coffee grounds are special. Packed with cellulose and natural oils, they’re perfect for 3D printing. We mix them with polylactic acid (PLA)—half grounds, half PLA. Before, products used 100% PLA, with a heavier environmental toll. Now, we cut waste at the source and slash carbon emissions by ~36%. It’s a game-changer for sustainable materials. 

Turning waste into wonder, we’re shrinking landfills and revolutionizing manufacturing. The secret? Seeing “trash” as treasure. With every recycled coffee ground, we’re brewing a greener tomorrow.