Busan city officials announced a new coffee grounds recycling initiative on July 30, making it a leader in sustainable waste management. The program, part of Busan’s “Coffee City” vision, was first proposed in February at the Busan Future Innovation Conference.
Coffee grounds, rich in energy and free from harmful substances, will now be repurposed as biofuel, soil conditioners, and other products. Previously incinerated and landfilled, these grounds will be collected from coffee shops at no cost and processed into valuable resources.
Busan’s new ordinance, the first of its kind in South Korea, will invest 3.9 billion won over five years. The initiative aims to boost recycling, protect the environment, and reduce carbon emissions, according to city officials.