Shell to power London buses using bio-fuel derived from coffee waste

Global energy major Shell has collaborated with Bio-bean to convert coffee grounds into bio-fuel that is being supplied to fuel chain for buses plying in London.

Shell says, that an average Londoner drinks around 2.3 cups of coffee a day, which produces over 200,000 tonnes of waste a year. This waste which would otherwise end up in landfill with the potential to emit 126 million kilograms of CO2, together with its partner Bio-bean who collects some of these waste coffee grounds from high street chains and factories, it is converting it to bio-diesel and for the first time power buses in London, without any need for modification.

The B20 biofuel contains a 20 percent bio-component which contains part coffee oil. Biofuel provides a cleaner, more sustainable energy solution for buses and will help decrease emissions.

"Our Coffee Logs have already become the fuel of choice for households looking for a high-performance, sustainable way to heat their homes - and now, with the support of Shell, Bio-bean and Argent Energy have created thousands of litres of coffee-derived B20 biodiesel which will help power London buses for the first time," says, Arthur Jay, founder, bio-bean.  "It's a great example of what can be done when we start to re=imagine waste as an untapped resource."

Waste to Bio-diesel
The collected coffee waste is dried and processed before coffee oil is extracted. Bio-bean works with its fuel partner Argent Energy to process this oil into a blended B20 biofuel. 6,000 litres of coffee oil has been produced, which if used as a pure-blend for the bio component and mixed with mineral diesel to form a B20, that could help power the equivalent of one London bus for a year.

This collaboration is part of Shell's ‘#makethefuture’ energy relay, which supports entrepreneurs turning bright energy innovations into a positive impact for communities around the world.

Sinead Lynch, Shell UK Country Chair, says: "When it comes to clean energy, we are always looking for the next inventive solution. A good idea can come from anywhere, but with the scale and commitment of Shell, we can help enable true progress. We're pleased to be able to support bio-bean to trial this innovative new energy solution which can help to power buses, keeping Londoners moving around the city - powered in part by their waste coffee grounds."

Arthur Kay has won Shell LiveWIRE's Innovation Award in 2013 and the Mayor's Entrepreneur Programme in 2012 for his idea about turning coffee waste into fuel. Since then his company has gone on to produce bio-mass pellets and briquettes called Coffee Logs, before this latest bio-fuel innovation.