Chang Chih-min, a barista based in Changhua City, has carved a niche in the coffee industry by transforming used coffee grounds into a range of recycled products. At his cafe, Chang not only brews coffee sourced from his parents’ farm on Baguashan Mountain but also sells merchandise derived from coffee byproducts, such as mosquito repellent incense, charcoal, soaps, and even tea made from coffee cherry skins.
Chang’s venture into sustainable practices began when he noticed the significant waste generated by the coffee industry. Typically, after harvesting coffee beans, the remaining fruit is discarded. Moreover, coffee production is resource-intensive, requiring substantial water for washing beans and significant electricity for brewing.
Motivated to reduce waste and environmental impact, Chang explored innovative ways to utilize coffee fruit entirely. Traditionally in Taiwan, used coffee grounds are recycled as fertilizer or deodorizer, but Chang aimed higher. Inspired by international studies highlighting coffee grounds’ insect-repelling properties, he collaborated with a former classmate to develop mosquito-repellent incense coils from recycled coffee grounds.
Following rigorous experimentation and refinement, Chang successfully launched his mosquito-repelling incense, which quickly gained popularity and commercial success. Encouraged by this achievement, Chang expanded his recycling efforts to include other merchandise like soaps and charcoal made from coffee byproducts.
One of Chang’s significant innovations includes converting coffee grounds into charcoal through pyrolysis, a process that significantly reduces energy consumption compared to traditional wood charcoal production. He noted that using coffee-based soaps also reduces handwashing time and water consumption by one-third, aligning with his commitment to sustainability.
Buoyed by the positive reception of his products, Chang has attracted interest from local supermarket and convenience store chains. Looking ahead, he aims to develop solid fuel sticks from coffee grounds, envisioning a closed-loop system where coffee processing plants could recycle these sticks to power their operations, achieving self-sustainability—a goal Chang passionately advocates for in sustainable recycling.
Chang Chih-min’s journey exemplifies how innovation and commitment to sustainability can reshape industries traditionally associated with waste. His efforts not only demonstrate practical solutions to environmental challenges but also inspire a new wave of eco-friendly practices within the coffee industry.