IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v210y2025ics1364032124009894.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Coffee processing waste: Unlocking opportunities for sustainable development

Author

Listed:
  • Tsigkou, Konstantina
  • Demissie, Berhanu Assefa
  • Hashim, Suhaila
  • Ghofrani-Isfahani, Parisa
  • Thomas, Rewe
  • Mapinga, Kidere Flaura
  • Kassahun, Shimelis Kebede
  • Angelidaki, Irini

Abstract

Coffee is the second most consumed product worldwide, cultivated in over 70 countries with an average annual production of 165–170 million bags. Despite the coffee processing methods used, one common research question is about the fate of the wastes generated. Several studies highlight the need for coffee processing waste management, following global calls for climate-smart industrial processing leveraging on reducing the carbon footprint. Various levels of success have been reported in the literature concerning waste transformation into added-value products. Coffee processing waste valorization has been highlighted, including biofuels, building materials, biodegradable containers, organic fertilizer, and value-added compounds production or extraction among others. This review explores opportunities for closing the loop in the coffee value chain concerning circular economy while contributing mainly to seven sustainable development goals. Individual techniques and management practices have been reviewed to propose a scheme for coffee processing waste valorization in a circular economy concept, focusing not only on covering the coffee plantations and processing plants' needs but also on establishing new potential synergies. Thermochemical and biological processes can potentially add further value to coffee waste by facilitating the extraction of high-value compounds. Interest in harnessing these compounds from coffee waste streams continues to grow, highlighting the potential for innovative waste valorization approaches. Despite the data available, gaps still remain in the quest to close the loop and achieve zero waste mainly due to the lack of relative frameworks, regulations, and robust upscaled implementations toward coffee value chain circularity.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsigkou, Konstantina & Demissie, Berhanu Assefa & Hashim, Suhaila & Ghofrani-Isfahani, Parisa & Thomas, Rewe & Mapinga, Kidere Flaura & Kassahun, Shimelis Kebede & Angelidaki, Irini, 2025. "Coffee processing waste: Unlocking opportunities for sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:210:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124009894
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115263
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032124009894
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2024.115263?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David Orrego & Arley David Zapata-Zapata & Daehwan Kim, 2018. "Optimization and Scale-Up of Coffee Mucilage Fermentation for Ethanol Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Siswo Sumardiono & Bakti Jos & Agata Advensia Eksa Dewanti & Isa Mahendra & Heri Cahyono, 2021. "Biogas Production from Coffee Pulp and Chicken Feathers Using Liquid- and Solid-State Anaerobic Digestions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Duyen Nhat Lam Tran & Tien Dinh Nguyen & Thuy Thu Pham & Roberto F. Rañola & Thinh An Nguyen, 2021. "Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency of Robusta Coffee ( Coffea canephora ) Production in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Christian Bunn & Peter Läderach & Oriana Ovalle Rivera & Dieter Kirschke, 2015. "A bitter cup: climate change profile of global production of Arabica and Robusta coffee," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 129(1), pages 89-101, March.
    5. Edilson León Moreno Cárdenas & Arley David Zapata-Zapata & Daehwan Kim, 2018. "Hydrogen Production from Coffee Mucilage in Dark Fermentation with Organic Wastes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Okey Francis Obi & Ralf Pecenka & Michael J. Clifford, 2022. "A Review of Biomass Briquette Binders and Quality Parameters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Jules Ngango & Seung Gyu Kim, 2019. "Assessment of Technical Efficiency and Its Potential Determinants among Small-Scale Coffee Farmers in Rwanda," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-12, July.
    8. Saenger, M & Hartge, E.-U & Werther, J & Ogada, T & Siagi, Z, 2001. "Combustion of coffee husks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 103-121.
    9. Lubwama, Michael & Yiga, Vianney Andrew, 2018. "Characteristics of briquettes developed from rice and coffee husks for domestic cooking applications in Uganda," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 43-55.
    10. Bilhate Chala & Hans Oechsner & Sajid Latif & Joachim Müller, 2018. "Biogas Potential of Coffee Processing Waste in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, July.
    11. Sandra Gonzalez-Piedra & Héctor Hernández-García & Juan M. Perez-Morales & Laura Acosta-Domínguez & Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel & Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez, 2021. "A Study on the Feasibility of Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Raw Cheese Whey with Coffee Pulp Residues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-11, June.
    12. Pin, Bruno Vasconcelos da Rosa & Barros, Regina Mambeli & Silva Lora, Electo Eduardo & Almazan del Olmo, Oscar & Silva dos Santos, Ivan Felipe & Ribeiro, Eruin Martuscelli & Victor de Freitas Rocha, J, 2020. "Energetic use of biogas from the anaerobic digestion of coffee wastewater in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2084-2094.
    13. Yessenia Martínez-Ruiz & Diego Fernando Manotas-Duque & Juan Carlos Osorio-Gómez & Howard Ramírez-Malule, 2022. "Evaluation of Energy Potential from Coffee Pulp in a Hydrothermal Power Market through System Dynamics: The Case of Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, May.
    14. Gino B. Bianco, 2020. "Climate change adaptation, coffee, and corporate social responsibility: challenges and opportunities," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-13, December.
    15. Chen, Ying-Chu & Jhou, Sih-Yu, 2020. "Integrating spent coffee grounds and silver skin as biofuels using torrefaction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 275-283.
    16. Murthy, Pushpa S. & Madhava Naidu, M., 2012. "Sustainable management of coffee industry by-products and value addition—A review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 45-58.
    17. Adi Haryono & Mohamad Syamsul Maarif & Arif Imam Suroso & Siti Jahroh, 2023. "The Design of a Contract Farming Model for Coffee Tree Replanting," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-18, July.
    18. Radhika P. Bhandary & Asha U. Rao & Prathibha P. Shetty & S. Blesson & Blessen Skariah Thomas, 2023. "Application of Coffee Husk Ash as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    19. Dal-Bó, Vanessa & Lira, Taisa & Arrieche, Leonardo & Bacelos, Marcelo, 2019. "Process synthesis for coffee husks to energy using hierarchical approaches," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 195-206.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mendoza Martinez, Clara Lisseth & Saari, Jussi & Melo, Yara & Cardoso, Marcelo & de Almeida, Gustavo Matheus & Vakkilainen, Esa, 2021. "Evaluation of thermochemical routes for the valorization of solid coffee residues to produce biofuels: A Brazilian case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    2. Czekała, Wojciech & Łukomska, Aleksandra & Pulka, Jakub & Bojarski, Wiktor & Pochwatka, Patrycja & Kowalczyk-Juśko, Alina & Oniszczuk, Anna & Dach, Jacek, 2023. "Waste-to-energy: Biogas potential of waste from coffee production and consumption," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    3. Yessenia Martínez-Ruiz & Diego Fernando Manotas-Duque & Juan Carlos Osorio-Gómez & Howard Ramírez-Malule, 2022. "Evaluation of Energy Potential from Coffee Pulp in a Hydrothermal Power Market through System Dynamics: The Case of Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Geert van Kollenburg & Paul van Weert, 2024. "Coffee, climate, community: A holistic examination of specialty coffee supply chains in Rwanda," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 5948-5965, December.
    5. Déborah Presta-Novello & Natalia Andrea Salazar-Camacho & Liliana Delgadillo-Mirquez & Héctor Mauricio Hernández-Sarabia & Mónica del Pilar Álvarez-Bustos, 2023. "Sustainable Development in the Colombian Post-Conflict—The Impact of Renewable Energies in Coffee-Growing Women," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Dal-Bó, Vanessa & Lira, Taisa & Arrieche, Leonardo & Bacelos, Marcelo, 2019. "Process synthesis for coffee husks to energy using hierarchical approaches," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 195-206.
    7. Euripedes Garcia Silveira Junior & Victor Haber Perez & Solciaray Cardoso Soares Estefan de Paula & Thays da Costa Silveira & Fabio Lopes Olivares & Oselys Rodriguez Justo, 2023. "Coffee Husks Valorization for Levoglucosan Production and Other Pyrolytic Products through Thermochemical Conversion by Fast Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    8. Firna Varina & Sri Hartoyo & Nunung Kusnadi & Amzul Rifin, 2020. "The Determinants of Technical Efficiency of Oil Palm Smallholders in Indonesia," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 10(6), pages 89-93.
    9. Asep Mulyana & Teten Masduki & Wa Ode Zusnita Muizu & Tri Febrianti & Dara Sagita Triski, 2024. "The Contribution of Off-Takers to Sustainable Agricultural Cluster Businesses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, November.
    10. Markose Chekol Zewdie & Michele Moretti & Daregot Berihun Tenessa & Zemen Ayalew Ayele & Jan Nyssen & Enyew Adgo Tsegaye & Amare Sewnet Minale & Steven Van Passel, 2021. "Agricultural Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    11. Justyna Górka & Małgorzata Cimochowicz-Rybicka & Dominika Poproch, 2022. "Sludge Management at the Kraków-Płaszów WWTP—Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-11, June.
    12. Anita Konieczna & Kamila Mazur & Adam Koniuszy & Andrzej Gawlik & Igor Sikorski, 2022. "Thermal Energy and Exhaust Emissions of a Gasifier Stove Feeding Pine and Hemp Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-17, December.
    13. Muhamad Zahid Muhamad & Mad Nasir Shamsudin & Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman & Nolila Mohd Nawi & Jamaliah Laham, 2022. "Investigating Yield Variability and Technical Efficiency of Smallholders Pineapple Production in Johor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    14. Duyen Nhat Lam Tran & Tien Dinh Nguyen & Thuy Thu Pham & Roberto F. Rañola & Thinh An Nguyen, 2021. "Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency of Robusta Coffee ( Coffea canephora ) Production in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    15. Giannakis, Nikos & Carmona-Cabello, Miguel & Makri, Aikaterini & Leiva-Candia, David & Filippi, Katiana & Argeiti, Chrysanthi & Pateraki, Chrysanthi & Dorado, M.P. & Koutinas, Apostolis & Stylianou, E, 2023. "Spent coffee grounds and orange peel residues based biorefinery for microbial oil and biodiesel conversion estimation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 382-392.
    16. Sayamol Charoenratana & Cholnapa Anukul & Peter M. Rosset, 2021. "Food Sovereignty and Food Security: Livelihood Strategies Pursued by Farmers during the Maize Monoculture Boom in Northern Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, September.
    17. Zalengera, Collen & Blanchard, Richard E. & Eames, Philip C. & Juma, Alnord M. & Chitawo, Maxon L. & Gondwe, Kondwani T., 2014. "Overview of the Malawi energy situation and A PESTLE analysis for sustainable development of renewable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 335-347.
    18. Kouadio, Louis & Tixier, Philippe & Byrareddy, Vivekananda & Marcussen, Torben & Mushtaq, Shahbaz & Rapidel, Bruno & Stone, Roger, 2021. "Performance of a process-based model for predicting robusta coffee yield at the regional scale in Vietnam," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 443(C).
    19. Stephen Graham & Hanna Julia Ihli & Anja Gassner, 2022. "Agroforestry, Indigenous Tree Cover and Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Mount Elgon in Uganda," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(4), pages 1893-1911, August.
    20. Anika Reetsch & Kai Schwärzel & Christina Dornack & Shadrack Stephene & Karl-Heinz Feger, 2020. "Optimising Nutrient Cycles to Improve Food Security in Smallholder Farming Families—A Case Study from Banana-Coffee-Based Farming in the Kagera Region, NW Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-34, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:210:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124009894. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.