KawaFungo’s Idea:

KawaFungo is an environmental, recycling, social startup aimed at reusing the coffee grounds 
(coffee waste that is thrown away by coffee brewers) to grow mushrooms.

Why mushroom?

Current mushroom growers in Lebanon depend mainly on imported raw materials such as mushroom compost, peat moss, and vermiculite that are heavily used in the casing soil. After the devaluation of the Lebanese currency, most local growers were not able to continue in the business, which resulted in a further increase of fresh mushroom prices.  

Why coffee grounds?

Meanwhile, Coffee brewers including shops, drive-thru kiosks, restaurants, offices, and households are making thousands of coffee cups every day in Lebanon. Less than 1 % of brewed coffee beans is actually consumed in the coffee cups, while the rest lands in the garbage as coffee grounds.
 
KawaFungo is turning this coffee ground waste into a resource! 

Coffee grounds make a perfect substrate to grow mushrooms, as they are packed full of nutrients and minerals. Our plan is to create a sustainable system and reestablish natural cycles in which we collect the coffee grounds waste and then process it to grow mushrooms. 

KawaFungo is turning this coffee ground waste into a resource