Muscat – An innovative project by an Omani student company is turning coffee waste into activated carbon for water purification, offering an eco-friendly approach to tackling environmental challenges. The project, which has garnered attention for its sustainable approach, was one of the winners in the Upgrade programme, overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.

Manar bint Saeed al Attar, the head of the project, explained, “Coffee waste is rich in organic materials and can be transformed into activated carbon through advanced thermal and chemical processes.”

The project employs pyrolysis, a technique that converts coffee waste into activated carbon. This process involves several stages, including drying the waste and using physical or chemical activation. The use of a thermal reactor ensures the efficient production of high-quality activated carbon.

The project aims to promote a circular economy while addressing environmental issues related to the accumulation of organic waste. By converting coffee waste into activated carbon, the team hopes to purify water in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.

The process begins with collecting coffee waste from cafes and drying it for 24 hours at 100 degrees Celsius. The dried coffee is then placed in a thermal reactor to produce activated carbon. This carbon, known for its high porosity, acts as an effective absorbent material in water treatment. As polluted water passes through the activated carbon, contaminants are attracted to and adhere to its surface, effectively removing organic compounds, chlorine, odours, and even some heavy metals.

Manar highlighted the project’s broader environmental impact, noting that converting coffee waste into activated carbon not only reduces organic waste and gas emissions, helping mitigate global warming, but also purifies water by removing various pollutants. Additionally, the activated carbon produced is recyclable and free from harmful chemicals, making it a safe and sustainable option.

“This project is a model of innovation in environmental and technological fields, integrating eco-friendly strategies into production while advancing the principles of the circular economy and zero carbon neutrality,” she added.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the project by increasing production, developing new products from activated carbon, and applying their technology to other types of organic waste that contain carbon.