Virši to recycle coffee waste into beauty products
The retailer has teamed up with Alternative Plants to explore the use of coffee grounds in creating skin-care products.
Latvian fuel retailer Virši is partnering with biotechnology company Alternative Plants to jointly develop a sustainable cosmetic-grade raw material from the grounds of coffee.
This collaboration includes research on the effects of chemical compounds extracted from coffee grounds on human skin cells. The analysis includes studying the implementation of these products to create rejuvenating and anti-fatigue body, facial and hair care products.
“We ensure coffee’s full life cycle, in its final stage utilising coffee grounds into a valuable cosmetic-grade raw material for cosmetic products. In this way we not only reduce waste amounts but also create sustainable solutions that make the most out of every grind of coffee,” comments Linda Prūse, Member of the Board of Virši.
The company’s coffee journey begins in Brazil, in the plantation of the Veloso family, as it uses a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee. Local partners help to ensure not only responsible sourcing but also an appropriate and traceable production process all the way to the final product.
Since June, the Alternative Plants laboratory has been researching Virši coffee grounds to refine extraction methods. Currently, the new cosmetic-grade material is intended to serve as a stimulating ingredient in facial, body and hair care anti-fatigue cosmetic products with rejuvenating and protective benefits.
