Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology have developed a type of environmentally friendly ecological brick using coffee grounds as the main component. This innovation not only reduces energy use in production, but could mark a turning point in the construction industry.
How are bricks made from coffee waste?
Bricks are made by mixing clay with coffee waste collected from coffee shops and restaurants. An alkaline activator is added to the mixture, which allows the material to be fired at only 200 degrees Celsius, that is, 80% less than traditional firing temperatures of over 1,000 degrees.
This drastic reduction in temperature means a considerable reduction in carbon emissions linked to the process.
A new approach to waste recovery
The project, led by Dr. Yat Wong, has made progress toward commercial application through an intellectual property license signed with Australian company Green Brick. This alliance will facilitate the production and distribution of these low-emission bricks, which have already proven to far exceed the Australian minimum standard for structural strength.
Philip Ng, founder of Green Brick, stressed that this development forces a rethinking of the criteria by which building materials are evaluated. Instead of focusing exclusively on cost per square meter, the approach must integrate carbon, circularity and transparency indicators.
Double positive environmental impact
Daily coffee consumption in Australia generates around 10,000 tons of coffee grounds per year, which usually end up in landfills, releasing methane in the process. The incorporation of this organic waste into building materials not only reduces emissions from the sector, but also avoids the release of greenhouse gases in landfills.
This circular economy model could inspire other industries to reevaluate the potential of their waste. Meanwhile, the partnership between university science and the private sector continues to demonstrate that it is possible to build with less carbon and more ingenuity.
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Source and Photo: Swinburne University of Technology
