Today, many of our members are seeking new sustainable alternatives to manufacture their products.
Our newest member, GroundUP Eco-Venture, is no exception.
We took some time to talk to Shawn Legget, the Founder and CEO, to find out more about his product and how he is trying to make a difference.
CA:
Tell us a bit about your product.
Shawn:
We produce coffee oil that is sourced from spent coffee grounds in our local community. Canadians use over 250 thousand tonnes of coffee and 250 thousand tonnes of barley per year. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or oversubscribed compost facilities. By upcycling, each of these waste streams, we can eliminate over 200,000 kgs of waste and 5 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Circle economies contribute to environmental sustainability.
CA:
Can you explain the term ‘upcycling’?
Shawn
Upcycling is taking something that’s considered waste and re-purposing it. Materials are reused in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value.
Coffee grounds are diverted from landfills where they would normally contribute to greenhouse gases. Our patent-pending process dehydrates, pasteurizes, and extracts these valuable and powerful oils.
CA:
What are the benefits of coffee oil and how is it used in cosmetic products?
Shawn:
Coffee oil is used in cosmetics as it can improve hydration in the skin, reduce cellulite and can also absorb UVB radiation and is also know to have protective properties. Once we extract the oils, we also have a delicious and nutritious coffee flour that is excellent in your favorite baking treats!
CA:
What do you hope to achieve?
Shawn:
Our goal is to eliminate over 95,000 kgs of spent coffee grounds from going to landfills each year. We see an opportunity to operate in local communities across Canada with locally sourced and locally produced products that go back into the community.
CA:
Why did you decide to become a member?
Shawn:
I wanted to create awareness by engaging with multiple organizations on single platform and building relationships with like minded individuals and organizations.
CA:
Well you have come to the right spot. Welcome aboard Shawn!
