GROCYCLE

― Urban Mushroom Farming

↑ GroCycle ― Courtesy of Grocycle

GroCycle began with a simple but unconventional idea: to utilize a ubiquitous waste product—coffee grounds—to cultivate delicious and nutritious mushrooms. By harnessing the potential of urban environments and repurposing a readily available resource. Through partnerships with local cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants, GroCycle diverts used coffee grounds from landfills, transforming them into fertile substrates for mushroom cultivation. This symbiotic relationship minimises waste and creates a closed-loop system where coffee grounds become the staple of a thriving mushroom ecosystem.

GROWING CYCLE

The mushrooms follow an iteratively developed process, which begins with collecting coffee waste from local establishments, which is pasteurized to create a stable but nutrient-rich growing substrate. The sterilized coffee waste is placed in containers and inoculated with mushroom spawn. Mycelium colonises the substrate in a controlled environment with regulated temperature, fresh air exchange, and humidity levels. As the mycelium matures, mushrooms begin to fruit and are harvested at the peak of their growth. The containers and spent coffee waste can be recycled and utilized as a nutrient-rich compost or soil amendment.