The Horizon Europe-funded ECOFFEE project implements an innovative reverse logistics model to recover tonnes of spent coffee grounds from the HORECA sector and vending machines
Euskovazza leads this key phase of the project by using its existing coffee delivery routes to collect coffee waste, eliminating empty return journeys and reducing transport emissions
This system secures the feedstock needed to transform coffee waste into animal feed ingredients and natural biocides, achieving an overall 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions
BRUSSELS, 27 July 2026 – Transforming coffee waste into high-value bio-based products is a major step forward for the circular economy. However, the first challenge of the circular economy happens long before processing begins: how can thousands of tonnes of spent coffee grounds scattered across cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices and vending machines be collected without generating additional transport emissions?
The European ECOFFEE project, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe through the CIRCULOOS initiative, addresses this challenge through an innovative reverse logistics model led by the Basque company Euskovazza.
With more than a decade of experience in the coffee sector, Euskovazza has developed a dual-flow collection system for the HORECA and vending sectors. Delivery vehicles supplying fresh coffee to customers collect spent coffee grounds and used capsules during the same journey. This approach eliminates empty return trips, optimises distribution routes and significantly reduces emissions associated with waste transport.
Digital traceability from collection to processing
The system goes beyond collection. ECOFFEE integrates advanced digital tools, including the RAMP platform, to ensure full traceability of coffee waste from the point of generation to the processing facilities.
Once collected through this reverse logistics network, the spent coffee grounds are analysed and processed by AZTI, the project coordinator, to produce high-value ingredients for animal feed. At the same time, FumiHogar develops 100% natural biocides, larvicides and repellents from the recovered material.
The environmental impact of the entire process is assessed using the GRETA tool, validating a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with conventional landfill disposal.
Supported by Finnova Foundation, which leads communication activities and facilitates links with European public policies, ECOFFEE demonstrates that the circular bioeconomy begins with smarter supply chains.
About ECOFFEE
ECOFFEE is a pilot project funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. 101092295) through the CIRCULOOS initiative. The project aims to transform coffee waste into strategic industrial resources by combining innovation, digitalisation and sustainable logistics.
More information: https://ecoffeeproject.eu/