Our society is increasingly confronted with pressing environmental and health challenges that demand innovative solutions. The growing threats posed by air pollution, waste accumulation, and resource scarcity show the urgency of sustainable strategies for resource management and environmental health protection. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for millions of premature deaths annually, predominantly due to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. This impact is magnified by the waste produced by industries and households alike, placing a strain on natural resources and ecosystems. Against this backdrop, the SuSCoFilter project seeks to contribute to sustainable solutions, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3) and Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12).
One of SuSCoFilter’s central innovations lies in the sustainable repurposing of spent coffee grounds (SCG), a biowaste generated in massive quantities by the global coffee industry. As a lignocellulosic organic waste rich in melanoidins and fatty acids, SCG presents a valuable yet underutilized resource. However, SCG disposal poses significant environmental concerns due to its slow decomposition and potential to release methane when landfilled. Therefore, repurposing SCG into functional materials reduces the environmental burden and aligns with a circular economy model, where waste materials are transformed into valuable products. Although significant research has explored SCG valorization, many approaches rely on chemical modification or harsh physical treatments, which undermine the sustainability goals by adding processing costs and potential pollutants. By contrast, SuSCoFilter minimizes its environmental footprint by keeping the integrity of SCG largely intact with minimal chemical intervention, thus contributing to a greener approach to repurposing organic waste.
The primary objective of SuSCoFilter was to develop a high-performance, multifunctional air filter capable of capturing both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants. Advanced materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly effective in adsorbing specific gases, are incorporated into SuSCoFilter. Through the integration of SCG into the filter matrix, alongside specialized MOFs, the project sought to create an innovative, scalable filtration solution that is affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. SCG serves as a structural component in the filter, replacing synthetic materials, and facilitates a lower-pressure drop design that improves energy efficiency.
While the primary application of SuSCoFilter focused on air filtration, the project's innovative approach to SCG repurposing unlocked further applications, extending its impact beyond the initial scope. The developed method for processing SCG enabled the creation of light-responsive antibacterial textiles and superhydrophobic interfaces, both of which serve distinct but equally impactful roles in health and environmental applications. Antibacterial textiles offer adaptive protection against harmful bacteria and are valuable in medical and industrial contexts, where material reusability and sterility are paramount. Meanwhile, superhydrophobic interfaces—achieved by modulating SCG with fatty acids to control surface energy—provide self-cleaning surfaces that repel contaminants, further showcasing the versatility of SCG as a sustainable resource.
