Product designer Julian Lechner was intrigued by the idea of making something new and sustainable from so-called waste, so he started experimenting with coffee grounds. Three years later he discovered his unique formula for transforming recycled coffee grounds and renewable resources into the robust sustainable material he calls Kaffeeform. As a result, he has been able to make coffee cups from coffee grounds.
A group of cycle couriers collect coffee grounds from cafés and roasters in Berlin and take them to a sheltered workplace. There, they are dried and preserved. This material is then converted and shaped into cups at small factories in Germany. Each cup or mug is unique. The material slightly resembles wood, but it still smells a little like coffee.
This object is part of the Design by Nature collection of Museum de Fundatie. On this page you will find more information about this exhibition and you can visit it digitally via a video tour.