How Coffee Grounds Are Turned Into Shampoo and Clothing

Every day, coffee shops across Taiwan churn out thousands of cups of espresso, filter, and cold brew. But once you’ve enjoyed your morning shot, what happens to the grounds left behind? In recent years, as coffee culture has exploded in Taiwan, so too has the challenge of disposing of over 30,000 kilograms of used coffee grounds daily. The good news? A growing number of innovators are finding ways to turn that waste into valuable products—from shampoo to clothing.

Yes, coffee grounds can be refined into shampoo and even woven into fabric. One Taiwanese shampoo brand makes a product using oil extracted from recycled coffee grounds, and a major textile firm produces coffee-infused yarn used by global outdoor brands.

From Cup to Cleanser: How Coffee Oil Becomes Shampoo

Taiwanese haircare brand O’right, in collaboration with research institutions, developed a method to refine coffee oil from recycled coffee grounds. This oil is then used as a key ingredient in their eco-conscious shampoo line, called Recoffee. Each 1-liter bottle of Recoffee shampoo is made using the equivalent of 16 medium cups of Starbucks coffee—roughly the daily yield from a busy café. Not only does the formula utilise spent coffee, but the bottle itself incorporates recycled coffee grounds and is biodegradable. As a final touch, the base of the bottle contains embedded coffee seeds. Under the right conditions, the bottle can sprout into a new coffee plant once discarded.

Taiwan’s Coffee Consumption Fuels Innovation

Over the past three years, Taiwan has imported over $100 million worth of coffee beans annually. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, the number of chain coffee shops across the country has grown by 20%. With rising coffee consumption comes increased waste: roughly 30,000 kilograms of coffee grounds are discarded every day. Recognising the value in this byproduct, Taiwanese companies are turning grounds into functional products with both environmental and commercial appeal.

Coffee Textiles: From Grounds to Global Fashion

Beyond personal care, coffee waste is also finding its way into the fashion industry. Taiwan’s veteran textile manufacturer Singtex Industries reported annual revenue of around NT$1.3 billion in recent years, with a strong focus on exports to Europe and the United States. The company has developed a specialised coffee yarn, created from recycled coffee grounds, which is now used by more than 100 international brands. These include major outdoor and lifestyle labels such as Patagonia, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Puma. The coffee yarn leverages the natural properties of coffee—such as odour control and UV resistance—to enhance performance textiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee is wasted in Taiwan every day?

Taiwan generates approximately 30,000 kilograms of coffee grounds daily due to its high coffee consumption, which has risen alongside the growth of its specialty coffee scene and chain cafés.

What is Recoffee shampoo made from?

Recoffee shampoo is made using coffee oil extracted from recycled coffee grounds. One 1-liter bottle uses the equivalent of 16 medium cups of Starbucks coffee, and the bottle itself contains recycled coffee material and seeds that can sprout into a new plant.

Which brands use coffee-based fabric?

Over 100 global brands use coffee yarn produced by Taiwan’s Singtex Industries, including Patagonia, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Puma. The yarn offers functional benefits like odour control and UV protection.

How is coffee oil extracted for shampoo?

Coffee oil is refined from recycled coffee grounds through a proprietary process developed by O’right in partnership with research institutions. This oil is then formulated into eco-friendly shampoo products.

Why are coffee grounds useful in textiles?

Coffee grounds are used in textiles for their natural odour-absorbing and UV-resistant properties. These characteristics make coffee yarn an effective material for performance clothing and outdoor gear.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Homemade Coffee Care

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright, fruity notes that highlight coffee’s natural versatility—great for experimenting with coffee-based beauty hacks. Their Yirgacheffe offers floral and citrus tones, ideal for appreciating the origin qualities that inspire coffee recycling innovations. Both beans showcase the complexity that makes spent grounds still valuable. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.