Public final report ‘Energy from coffee waste in Central America’ - (DBM 02032)
Context and reasons to start the project
Coffee processing demands significant amounts of water that is extracted from surface water bodies. When this
water is used in the process of washing fermented coffee parchment it is rich in organic matter and can have a
chemical oxygen demand (COD) value as high as 50,000 mg/l. As this waste water is often discharged untreated
into rivers and streams it forms a major source of pollution that is a direct threat to the environment and human
health. This especially affects people living in rural areas as 95% of these households rely on groundwater for
drinking water. Apart from water pollution, coffee waste waters are also accelerating climate change as its
untreated dischargement results in large amounts of methane emissions. These emissions occur from anaerobic
methanogenic bacteria that in the process of degrading hydrocarbons produce methane gas with carbon dioxide as
end product. Several studies indicate that the methane emissions from coffee processing account for up to onethird of all emission that occur on coffee production level.
Objectives of the project
The goal of the “Energy from Coffee Waste in Central America” project is: To contribute to a sustainable coffee
production, by:
• achieving energy from waste from the coffee processing,
• reducing pollution by treating waste
Approach: Developing, documenting and disseminating best practices for waste water treatment and power
generation.
• Technical and economical review of different techniques,
• Generation of CO2 credits,
• Dissemination of knowledge and experience within the coffee sector.
The Energy from Coffee Waste project in Central America tackles above challenges by introducing techniques to
reduce water consumption1, treat waste water and turning the generated methane into energy instead of
emissions. Water reduction is achieved due to recirculation of waste water during the washing process whereby
eventually the highly contaminated water is treated and cleaned in a biodigestor before it is discharged in the
environment. The methane that is generated in this process is captured in the biodigestor and can directly be used
as biogas to run e.g. depulping machines, heat kitchen stoves, lamps and other necessary appliances. This solution
allows thus for simultaneously lowering the carbon and water footprint of coffee production, ‘inset’ emissions that
occur further downstream in the values chain and generating a wide range of additional benefits for coffee
producing communities.
1
These techniques are based on the principles of the Cleaner Production Practices, which focuses on Reject, Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle, Treat and Dispose.
Activities undertaken in the project
The project started in April 2010 and will continue to April 2013 in a
project consortium with Fundación Utz Kapeh and Climate Neutral
Group in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. The project was
implemented with 6 organizations at 19 pilot sites.
Our implementing partner was Aceres consultancy
In order to reach this goal, the following activities were executed:
- Develop, test and evaluate the technology of biogas production
from coffee waste.
- Implement a Carbon Credit pilot project to investigate the possibilities.
- Dissemination and sharing of practices
Results of the project:
As part of the Coffee Waste to Energy Project, over the last three years 19 pilot sites have been developed in
Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The pilot’s introduced waste water treatment systems and bio-energy
generation among small-scale producers, medium wet mills and in large industrial coffee processing sites. The scale
of these systems relate to approximately 250 qq/green coffee per harvest on small holder level, 600 quintal/green
coffee per harvest on medium scale wet mill level and 40.000 qq/ green coffee per harvest on large industrial coffee
processing site.
The below table illustrates the results regarding the three outlined problems in coffee processing mentioned above.
For example, at the large scale site,
For example, at the medium site,
CISA, one of the results was a reduction
Cecocafen, one of the results was the positive capture of
of the COD value as well as water use:
methane and subsequently the production of biogas:
reduction of the COD value as well as water use:
For example, at the small-scale site,
El Polo, one of the results was the
reduction of firewood, contributing to
deforestation issue in the community.
For one of the large scale site, the project team has also started the
process of carbon credit registration. The PDD document has been
submitted to the Gold Standard.
The system also generates additional benefits that are a challenge to quantify but that are perceived by the
members of the coffee producer organizations as making significant improvements to their livelihoods. Examples
include:




Using biogas for cooking drastically reduces the amount of time that is needed for fuel wood collection. This
is especially a benefit for women, who were before commonly responsible for collecting fuel wood.
Especially during rainy season this is a challenge.
As fuel wood is replaced by biogas there is less need to fell trees for household cooking. This is an important
measure to alter deforestation rates in wood and forest lots that are a part of the landscape in which the
producer organizations are situated.
Cooking on biogas also means an elimination of the generation of smoke. This has significantly contributed
to the health and wellbeing of farmers and their families.
Attraction of eco-tourism both due to improved environmental conditions and due to an innovative way of
handling waste.
For each organization a report has been developed where the results are detailed for the 19 pilot sites.
Lessons learned:
The most challenging part of the project was that there was no other project known. Our team really learned by
doing. Also the amount of sites (19) proved to be a challenge (distance) as the coordination for the activities had to
be done with 6 organizations. Our planning needed to be strict as well flexible.
Follow up of the project:
In the project period operational manuals and training schemes have been developed for each specific model
focused on installation, running and maintenance. These manuals and trainings are based on the technical
experience and organizational insights gained over three years of implementation. Due to the implementation of
the 19 pilot projects in different countries and settings we now have the knowledge and experience to roll out the
developed systems, of course taking the local situation and context into account.
UTZ is exploring the roll out of other sites in the same region as well as other regions such as Africa and Asia.
The cost of the hardware is the largest investment; the yearly operational and maintenance costs, were
manageable and can be absorbed by the organizations. This means that main financial incentive is needed for
organizations to start.
Colophon
Date
Status
Project number
Contac person Ag NL
30th of September 2013
Final report
DBM 02032
Sietske Boschma
This study was carried out in the framework of the < Global Sustainable Biomass Fund >, with financial support from
< the Ministry of Foreign Affairs> or < the Ministry of Economic Affairs > .
Name organisation
Contact person
De Ruyterkade 6
1013 AA Amsterdam
General Website:
www.utzcertified.org
Link for more info on project:
https://utzcertified.org/en/aboututzcertified/fielddevelopment/2373
UTZ Certified
Vera Espindola Rafael