Coffee and Plastic Waste Power Carbon Capture Innovation

Quick Smiles:

• Scientists developed a patented way to capture carbon using coffee and plastic waste
• The technology transforms old coffee grounds and PET plastic into activated carbon
• This breakthrough could reduce landfill waste and cut air pollution

Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have unveiled a patented method that combines coffee grounds and plastic waste to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. The process blends spent coffee, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and potassium hydroxide to create a highly effective CO₂ adsorbent.

Global waste streams of coffee and PET plastic often end up in landfills, but this innovation transforms them into a useful material. Potassium hydroxide enhances the conversion, resulting in activated carbon with strong potential for environmental impact.

“What begins with a Starbucks coffee cup and a discarded plastic water bottle can become a powerful tool in the fight against climate change through the production of activated carbon,”

shared Dr. Haif Aljomard, who leads the study at the University of Sharjah.

The process operates at a lower temperature than traditional plastic recycling, making it more energy-efficient. Dr. Aljomard emphasizes that their patented synthesis not only captures carbon but also supports a waste-to-resource mindset.

“This invention repurposes two abundant waste streams—coffee and plastic—into a high-performance adsorbent,”

she said, noting that the material could make a real difference in air pollution from fossil fuel energy systems.

Activated carbon is already key in systems for water purification, air filtration, and more, making this discovery a hopeful step for environmental protection.

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