Plastics take longer to decompose than natural organics, are not properly treated and cause microplastic problems when dumped into ecosystems. The development of biodegradable substances that are decomposed in a natural affinity with this is underway. There are coffee foils that have a high potential among biodegradable materials. As of 2021, the amount of coffee foil generated in Korea is about 350,000 tons, and if a large amount of coffee foil cannot be recycled, it will cost more than 35 billion won and will have an environmental burden such as carbon and greenhouse gases emitted during incineration. Among the methods of recycling coffee foil, coffee clay is used to make interior accessories.
Knead by hand
Mix coffee clay powder made from coffee foil, water, and various materials such as cement, sawdust, and stone powder, and knead them by hand.
The clay dried, shrunk in size, and brightened in color.
Due to the cement powder that was expected to increase the strength, the strength was rather weakened, and it broke even if it was grasped by hand.
We decided to test the clay with other materials that can adjust the color of the coffee clay while increasing its strength.
When mixed with clay, the strength was maintained and the color of the material could be diversified.
Knead with a machine
Knead the previously tested material by hand,
We also tested coffee clay kneaded with a machine called "coffee train" instead of by hand.
Similarly, clay was mixed to create colors for various materials.