Enhancing biopolymer materials with coffee waste-derived reinforcements

The rising consumption of coffee produces significant waste, posing environmental challenges. However, coffee waste serves as a low-cost, abundant source of biocompounds to enhance polymer composites. The review examines the use of coffee waste as a filler in polymer matrices to create eco-friendly composites with improved mechanical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Chemical modifications of coffee waste further enhance these properties, making it a viable material for sustainable applications. The study highlights recent advancements in biopolymer composites using coffee industry byproducts, emphasizing their composition, characteristics, and sustainability benefits. This approach supports circular economy initiatives by converting waste into valuable materials, addressing both waste management and material sustainability. Future research will focus on optimizing processing techniques and exploring new applications for cost-effective, sustainable production of polymer composites from coffee waste.Highlights Coffee waste offers a low-cost, eco-friendly filler for biopolymers. Coffee byproducts enhance polymer's antioxidant, antibacterial traits. Waste utilization aligns with sustainability, reducing environmental impact. Chemical treatments enhance coffee waste's contribution to biopolymers. Future research to focus on cost-effective, sustainable material production.