Żabka - a popular retail chain in Poland - emphasizes at every turn that ecology is part of its DNA. Caring for natural resources, the chain tries to reduce the amount of generated waste, as well as minimize raw material consumption. It encourages customers and franchisees to join this process, promoting the ​"zero waste" idea.

One of the problems with waste that needed to be solved was the issue of coffee grounds left over by customers using coffee machines in Żabka stores. The chain estimates that about 100 kilograms of this waste are generated each month in its shops.

Looking for the solution to this problem, Żabka decided to take advantage of Deko Eko's competences and experience in upcycling and projects as part of which unusual collections of new, creative items were prepared from the company's waste.

In Deko Eko we knew that coffee grounds are waste with great potential. They can return to circulation as elegant and durable coffee mugs, trays, flower pots, notebooks and calendars. They are also an excellent material for preparing furniture, lamps and even shoes.

In Żabka's case, we decided to use the coffee grounds to prepare a collection of upcycling espresso cups.

In many shops, we can drink coffee while shopping - Żabka - the popular retail chain in Poland might be an example.

Drinking coffee is a pleasure for customers, but at the same time generates problems with waste - each day customers leave kilograms of coffee grounds.

A popular retail chain was looking for solutions to the problem of waste, left behind by customers using coffee machines, available in most Żabka shops - in Poland there are already over 7,000 shops of this chain.

We conducted a waste analysis and then started looking for creative solutions and upcycling creators who specialize in processing of coffee grounds. Then we presented the client a number of different upcycling solutions, inspiring him to act.

The choice fell on a German upcycling partner that uses this waste material to create kitchen products. Together, we decided that it would be a good idea to use coffee grounds to prepare an upcycling collection of espresso cups. The unique set attracts attention not only with its extraordinary appearance, but also with its scent - cups made of coffee grounds have a delicate coffee aroma!

Our cooperation with the Żabka chain has shown that coffee grounds can be perceived not only as waste, but also a material for creating completely new items. The coffee grounds left by customers have been returned to circulation and turned into a collection of beautiful espresso cups.

Many Żabka employees were surely surprised by the fact how aesthetic and functional items can be made of waste, which they contact every single day.

The project was a great opportunity to increase employees' awareness of topics such as circular economy, sustainable development and upcycling. It is upcycling that can be a great inspiration to start introducing changes in your private life, and at the same time pay attention to the global problem of generating hundreds of thousands of tons of waste in the world.