Australian engineers to make stronger concrete with old coffee grounds
A close analysis of the concrete followed, using x-rays, scanning microscopy, and an assessment of its carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur content, to draw up a profile of the interior. This helped reveal that at this temperature and ratio, the grounds create a helpful porous structure in the concrete.
Increased strength is obviously a boon for the construction industry. But there are other reasons to bring this waste material into buildings. The researchers calculated that replacing 15% of Australia’s concrete mix with coffee grounds would generate enough demand to use up all the available coffee waste in the country and divert it from the landfill. This would be a rare double-win for the environment, meanwhile for industry there is a dangling carrot in the form of reduced production costs from the cheap, available waste.