Turn Coffee Waste into Clean Water and Climate Action
Coffee Waste Doesn’t Have to Pollute
Warm Heart Worldwide in partnership with Coffee Mill and Waste Free '23 are
helping coffee communities in Ethiopia protect water, reduce emissions, and create local income.
In Sidama, Ethiopia, the partnership works with local coffee mills and partners to demonstrate a simple, off-grid solution that transforms coffee husk waste and polluted wastewater into biochar, clean water, and climate action.
This is a practical, community-led approach to sustainability—designed for remote coffee mills.
- ♻️ 1,000 kg of coffee husk converted into ~300 kg of biochar each week
- 💧 Polluted wastewater filtered and reused
- ⚡ 100% off-grid, solar-powered
- 🌍 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- 💰 New income from what was once waste
THE PROBLEM
Coffee Waste Is a Hidden Environmental Challenge
Ethiopia produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of coffee husk each year. Much of it is burned or dumped. At the same time, wastewater from wet processed coffee cherry mills is often released untreated into rivers.
- These practices can lead to:Water pollution
- Increased emissions
- Lost opportunities for local communities
For many small and off-grid coffee mills, conventional waste treatment systems are not affordable or practical.
Warm Heart Worldwide became involved to help demonstrate a better option.
THE SOLUTION
How We are Addressing Coffee Waste
At a pilot site in Bensa, Sidama, Warm Heart Worldwide supports local implementation of a biochar-based system that addresses both solid and liquid waste from coffee processing.
Step 1: Coffee Husk → Biochar
- Locally built TLUD biochar system
- Powered by a small solar panel
- Constructed using local materials
Step 2: Biochar → Clean Water
- Biochar filters polluted coffee wastewater
- Captures organic material and nutrients
- Treated water reused for coffee washing
One system solves two waste problems.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Environmental, Climate, and Community Impact
Environmental Protection
- Cleaner rivers and waterways
- Reduced emissions from burned coffee husk
- Long-term carbon storage through biochar
Water Security
- Reduced freshwater extraction
- Water reuse at the mill
Local Livelihoods
- Biochar sold locally
- Increased crop yields (≈20%)
- Improved livestock health and productivity
What was once pollution becomes a resource that supports farming families.
TRUST & CREDIBILITY
A Proven and Scalable Approach
Similar coffee waste biochar systems are already operating in Brazil, Vietnam, and across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
- The Sidama pilot confirms that:100% of coffee husk and wastewater can be reused
- Systems function in off-grid, remote settings
- Communities can manage and benefit from the solution
Warm Heart Worldwide focuses on solutions that communities can own and maintain.
OPEN SOURCE & COST-EFFECTIVE
Designed for Scale, Not Profit
All system designs and operating methods are fully open source.
- This ensures:No licensing fees
- No proprietary barriers
- Faster adoption by cooperatives and communities
Your support helps fund training, local implementation, and expansion, not expensive technology.
WHERE YOUR SUPPORT GOES
How Donations Support This Project
Contributions to Warm Heart Worldwide help:
- Train local operators and farmers to make and use biochar
- Reduce pollution across entire watersheds
- Strengthen climate resilience in farming communities
- Expand the system to additional coffee mills
- Improve the livelihoods of coffee processors and farmer
FINAL CALL TO ACTION
Help Coffee Become Part of the Climate Solution
Coffee doesn’t have to pollute water or worsen climate change.
With the right tools and partnerships, it can regenerate ecosystems and support livelihoods.