The State of Circular Economy: Market Insights on Products from Spent Coffee Grounds

The State of Circular Economy: Market Insights on Products from Spent Coffee Grounds
Thank you for taking the time to complete this short survey!

Your insights will help us better understand how spent coffee grounds (SCGs) are currently managed across the coffee value chain and where there’s potential to scale up circular economy solutions.

SCGs are the solid residues left behind after brewing coffee—whether from a filter, espresso puck, or French press. While often treated as waste, they hold significant untapped value.

This survey focuses exclusively on SCGs and takes around 5–7 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential and will contribute to a forthcoming white paper being developed by the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee.

Whether you’re already upcycling coffee waste or just starting to explore its potential, your experience matters. Thank you for helping us shape a more sustainable future for the coffee sector!
Which of the following areas best describes your role or affiliation in the coffee sector?*

Coffee farmingCoffee processingCoffee tradingCoffee roastingCoffee equipment manufacturingCoffee serving and retailWaste management servicesResearch/academic institutionsCoffee support organitations (associations, consultancy, nonprofit, or research)Government bodies, authorities, or regulatory agenciesNGOs (Non-governmental organizations)Other
In which country is your organization based?*
How large is your business/operation? *
How much spent coffee grounds do you generate daily, if applicable?*

Less than 10 kg10-50 kg50-100 kgMore than 100 kgNot applicable (I don’t generate SCGs)
How are you currently managing the spent coffee grounds you generate?*

Discarding as wasteValorizingOutsource management to third-partyPartially outsource (e.g., for certain processes)Do not manage SCGsOther
If valorizing, what are you transforming the spent coffee grounds into?
How do you treat it? What is the final product you produce?
If outsourcing (partially or fully), please describe the service they provide and what they do with the spent coffee grounds collected.
Please provide as much detail as you can share
If you have selected outsourcing (partially or fully), how much do you pay for the service in USD?
Feel free to give a rough estimate $ per kg of SCGs removed or a similar standard
Do you know of any service provider or business that offers a spent coffee ground valorization solutions?*

YesNo
If yes, who are they and what services do they provide?
Are you currently working with them?

YesNo
If not working with a service provider, what is preventing the collaboration?
Are you aware of any successful case studies or best practices in spent coffee grounds valorization?*

YesNo
If you answered yes to the previous question, could you tell us a bit more about what you know and how you came to know it?
Are there any barriers preventing you from valorizing your spent coffee grounds?*

YesNo
If you answered yes previously, what are the main barriers preventing you from valorizing spent coffee grounds?

Financial constraints and limited access to funding or investment opportunitiesLimited availability of infrastructure and technologiesBalancing economic viability with Circular Economy goals;Limited consumer awareness and demandLimited of knowledge on how to valorizeChallenges in collecting and managing SCGsInadequate policy frameworks & supportLack of standardized guidelines and best practices
What kind of support would you prioritize in order to start valorizing your spent coffee grounds?*

Technical knowledgeMarket insightsMarket accessFundingGovernment incentives (Taxes, etc...)Policy & regulatory supportPartnershipsInfrastructureOther
In your opinion what are the main challenges in marketing spent coffee ground derived products?*

High production costsLimited consumer demandNegative perception of "waste-based" productsPolicy and regulationsLack of distribution channelsOther
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