The UK’s largest coffee chain has partnered with an Alconbury Weald-based business to turn its coffee grounds into a heat supply as part of an innovative process.

Bio-bean has announced a partnership which will see 3,000 tonnes of Costa Coffee’s waste grounds turned into low-carbon fuel that will heat homes across the country. Oliver Rosevear, Costa Coffee energy and environment manager, said: “This partnership will put thousands of tonnes of Costa coffee grounds to work, transforming them from a waste material into sustainable, clean fuels which can

heat homes this winter.

“We have worked hard to cut carbon emissions and minimise waste, but it is fantastic to move bio-bean forward on their ambition to power cities with coffee.”

Founded by entrepreneur Arthur Kay in 2013, bio-bean has grown rapidly and now has a team of 25 staff.

Costa will supply the coffee waste from more than 800 of its stores across the UK, which will be made into ‘coffee logs’ – coffee grounds stripped of their oil and compressed into briquettes.

Mr Kay said: “Coffee logs are bio-bean’s new carbon neutral fuel that burns hotter and for longer than wood - and they are already cutting CO2 and heating homes. They are a brilliant way to reuse waste coffee and we’re very proud that our partnership with Costa is reducing costs for businesses and house-holds alike.”

The coffee logs are designed for solid fuel stoves, log burners and open fires.

Mr Kay is now calling for other coffee chains in the UK to get involved with the scheme.

“Our technology is already saving Costa thousands of pounds and reducing emissions - and where Costa have led we hope other companies can follow,” he said.