International Coffee Organization Launches Global Campaign to Promote Circular Economy in Coffee
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) has launched a global awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the untapped potential of coffee waste and promoting circular economy practices across the coffee sector.
According to the ICO, between 95% and 99% of the coffee cherry is discarded after processing, posing significant environmental and economic challenges. However, the campaign emphasizes that this reality is beginning to change, as more businesses, cooperatives, and producers find innovative ways to transform this so-called “waste” into valuable resources.
The campaign showcases a variety of applications for coffee by-products — such as pulp, husk, and mucilage — which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. These materials can be repurposed to produce biofuels, organic fertilizers, animal feed, cosmetics, and even bioplastics. In some cases, coffee residues are being turned into household items, sustainable design objects, and even jewellery, reflecting the growing creativity and sustainability focus within the industry.
Recent studies estimate that the global coffee industry generates between 34 to 39 million tonnes of biological waste annually. In addition, 7 to 8 million tonnes of spent coffee grounds are produced each year, much of which ends up in landfills — contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Circular economy practices present a real opportunity to reverse that trend. For example, Bio-bean, a UK-based company, processes up to 50,000 tonnes of spent coffee grounds per year, helping reduce 6.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per tonne of waste processed — a significant environmental benefit.
In parallel with the campaign, the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC) was established with support from the ICO and over 35 global partners. This hub promotes knowledge-sharing, research, and collaboration between stakeholders to advance circular practices in the coffee value chain.
The ICO is calling on stakeholders — from farmers and cooperatives to large corporations and consumers — to embrace circular economy initiatives and support the transformation of coffee waste into sustainable solutions.
“By supporting sustainable coffee practices, you’re also investing in a more circular and equitable future.” — International Coffee Organization
The organization also encourages the public to share inspiring projects and good practices that exemplify how coffee waste can be repurposed to create new economic and environmental value. As the campaign message makes clear: embracing circularity in coffee is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity.
