Coflab is a bio-circular incubator for citizens of Mechelen that uses coffee grounds as a source of soil for local food production.
Coflab is a Citamine spin-off, a non-profit organisation that aims to make an edible city of Mechelen. Unused spaces in the city plus local organic waste such as coffee grits can make up local food production, e.g., for oyster mushrooms, chicory or sprouts. Coflab wants to pick up coffee grits at bars, coffee shops, public services, hospitals, to use them as nutrients for local food production.
The city of Mechelen personnel produces 3.300 kilograms of coffee grits per year. These are collected at multiple locations where the employees of the city of Mechelen work and are transported to the growing location made of modular growing spaces that are filled with open-source machines.
Resources needed
Coflab basically needs just three things: unused space, coffee grounds and people. With 60 m² and 3.300 kilograms of coffee grits, you can make 400 kilograms of oyster mushrooms.
Evidence of success
Creating a network among citizens and local catering services through a B2B business model. To be evaluated by fall 2022.
Difficulties encountered
Various safety requirements related to food production exist. Do check with your national food agency.
Potential for learning or transfer
How to run a business model that is self-sustaining in the long term.
Tags: Bio, Bioeconomy, Business cycle, Circular economy, City, Collaborative entrepreneurship, Food, Green economy, Local, Recycling, Reuse of waste, Value chain
