Coffee Grounds Used To Boost Soil Fertility & More

Coffee Grounds Used To Boost Soil Fertility & More FERTILIZER APPLICATION Sustainable Resources Group SRG is transforming spent coffee grounds into soil amendments fuel pellets and lubricants “We work with large coffee producers like Nestle and Starbucks to create retail products from the grounds that are the byproduct of brewing ” says Ian Kennedy SRG “Coffee grounds have a heating value close to anthracite coal They’re 5 to 10 percent oil which we extract and make into an extremely competitively priced lubricant Our heating pellets have an extremely low ash content and our grilling pellets are like charcoal with a hint of java ” Some aspects of the coffee ground products are superior to competitive products Compared to hardwood SRG’s JavaBrewBQ grilling pellets and JavaFlame fuel pellets release 35 percent more Btu 11 170 versus 8 100 Btu per lb around half the moisture and 80 percent less ash The suggested retail price of the grilling pellets is $19 95 for a 20-lb bag similar to major retail charcoal brands “From a Btu standpoint alone it’s like getting a third more pellets for the same price ” says Kennedy The coffee-based lubricant is being marketed as a replacement for vegetable oil in pelletizing processes SRG’s marketing study suggests it has an equal value at less cost to soy oil and other vegetable oils JavaEarth has similar water retention and nutrient qualities to sphagnum peat moss SRG’s agronomists have shown it’s as beneficial to compacted clay soils as it is to loose sandy soils It’s marketed through Walmart at $29 95 for a 20-lb bag “JavaEarth lightens heavy soils retains moisture and nutrients and promotes strong root development ” says Kennedy “Unlike peat moss JavaEarth is environmentally sustainable Instead of being dug out of the earth it’s diverted from landfills In addition it’s at least comparable and often substantially cheaper than peat moss ” SRG plans to offer JavaEarth in multiple product forms for various markets and uses Consumers are advised to use it to improve native soil structure mix it with potting soil for acid-loving plants and blend it with potting soil and pH balancers for starting seeds “Coffee grounds are considered the second largest natural waste source in the world ” says Kennedy “We turn them into products people can use ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Sustainable Resources Group 132 Veterans Lane Unit A Doylestown Penn 18901 ph 610-840-9200; king@sustainableresourcesgroup com; www sustainableresourcesgroup com

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