Scientists in Australia have discovered a new technique for making concrete almost 30 per cent stronger. And while it’s not clear if they were up all night working on the problem, the solution does involve coffee grounds. Researchers at RMIT University (formerly the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) note that the decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas, a contributor to global warming. “Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are one type of organic waste that makes up a significant proportion of the organic waste going to landfills,” they write in their paper. The paper, “Transforming spent coffee grounds into a valuable resource for the enhancement of concrete strength,” was published recently in the Journal of Cleaner Production .

Source: National Post January 17, 2024 18:13 UTC