# Coffee Grounds Boost Concrete Strength

> Scientists use coffee waste to make stronger concrete, cutting landfill and sand use.
- Title: Coffee Grounds Boost Concrete Strength · ScienceAlert
- Summary: Scientists use coffee waste to make stronger concrete, cutting landfill and sand use.
- Keywords: coffee grounds, concrete, rmit university, biochar, sand conservation, landfill reduction, ScienceAlert
- Source: ScienceAlert — https://sciencealert.com/scientists-discovered-an-amazing-practical-use-for-the-worlds-leftover-coffee-grounds
- Author: Tessa Koumoundouros
- Published: 2026-10-25T20:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: coffee grounds, concrete, rmit university, biochar, sand conservation, landfill reduction, science
## Coffee Waste Problem
Each year, the world produces about 10 billion kilograms of coffee waste ending up in landfills.
## Environmental Impact
Disposal of organic waste emits greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, worsening climate change.
## Sand Shortage Issue
Global construction demands more sand, causing environmental damage from mining river beds and banks.
## Coffee to Biochar
Scientists heated coffee grounds to 350 °C, creating carbon-rich biochar that strengthens concrete.
## Real-World Test
A footpath in Victoria used coffee biochar concrete, diverting 140,000 coffees from landfills and saving 3.3 US tons of sand.
## Future Plans
Researchers aim to test coffee-cement durability and expand to other organic waste sources like wood and food.
## Key takeaway

RMIT researchers turned coffee grounds into stronger concrete, diverting 140,000 coffees from landfills and saving 3.3 US tons of sand.