Crowdfunded Kreis Cup Makes Plastic-Free Coffee Cups Out Of Spent Coffee Grounds

Spent coffee grounds might seem like more hassle than utility. But, it turns out that those spent grounds can also get used for other purposes. 

The nitrogen-rich slurry of used java beans can deodorize a fridge, serve as an organic de-icing alternative to salt or chemicals, and of course, as a plant-pleasing addition to compost and soil. However, one new startup has found another novel use for spent coffee grounds by creating biodegradable tumblers and cups.

Kreis Cup is a crowdsourced startup that collects coffee grounds from local coffeehouses and repurposes the waste into reusable, biodegradable, and plastic-free tumblers and mugs for a more sustainable alternative to unrecyclable single-use coffee cups containing a thin layer of plastic. Kreis is German for circle and an obvious nod to the circular nature of using spent grounds to make coffee cups.

The dishwasher-safe Kreis Cups don’t shatter, unlike ceramic cups, and the tumbler is travel-ready with a double insulated design, keeping your coffee hotter and safe to hold in hand on those long commutes. Once the Kreis Cup ends its useful life, it can get repurposed as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Finally, Kreis Cups also has a slight smell of coffee, enhancing the caffeination experience.

The coffee cup startup has been fully funded on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo and expects to begin shipping in December 2022.

Images courtesy of Kreis Cup.