How Megabangna Turns Coffee Grounds Into Furniture

Ever tossed your coffee grounds after brewing, assuming they’re just waste? You’re not alone—but what if those grounds could become something more? From compost to odor absorbers, used coffee has hidden potential. In Bangkok, one cafe has gone further, transforming its spent coffee into durable, everyday objects you’d never guess were made from grounds.

At Starbucks Megabangna, 9 pieces of furniture—including 2 public tables, 5 round tables, and 2 counters—are made entirely from recycled coffee grounds. This makes it the first concept store to “close the loop” on coffee waste by turning grounds into built-in fixtures.

How Coffee Grounds Became Furniture

Megabangna, a Starbucks location inside Bangkok’s Megabangna shopping mall, generates far less coffee waste than typical outlets. Instead of discarding spent grounds, the cafe collaborates with Kasetsart University’s waste innovation lab to recycle them into furniture. The project is led by Dr. Singh, an architecture professor and ecological designer, who oversees the conversion process alongside production teams.

The Science and Craft Behind Coffee Waste Recycling

Kasetsart University’s scrap metal lab, under Dr. Singh’s direction, specializes in creating pollution-free products from reclaimed materials. Their latest focus: transforming coffee grounds into functional, eco-friendly furniture. The team sources used coffee grounds from Sonite Innovative Surfaces, a partner in material recovery. According to Dr. Singh, “Our team and the production crew collect coffee grounds from Starbuck’s Megabangna. We find it exciting and challenging to give these materials a second life.”

Why This Matters for Coffee Lovers and Designers

Beyond reducing landfill waste, the project showcases how coffee byproducts can be upcycled into high-use items. The furniture includes durable tables and counters that blend into the cafe’s daily operations, proving that waste doesn’t have to be wasted. Dr. Singh hopes the visible use of recycled materials will inspire customers to think more sustainably. “I want customers to see these pieces and feel motivated to protect our planet,” he says.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many furniture pieces at Starbucks Megabangna are made from coffee grounds?

Nine pieces are made from recycled coffee grounds, including two public tables, five round tables, and two counters.

Who collaborated with Starbucks Megabangna to create the coffee ground furniture?

The furniture was created in collaboration with Kasetsart University’s waste innovation lab, supervised by Dr. Singh, an architecture professor and ecological designer.

Where does the coffee grounds used in the furniture come from?

The coffee grounds are sourced from Sonite Innovative Surfaces, which recovers spent coffee from Starbucks Megabangna.

What is the goal of using coffee grounds in furniture design?

The project aims to recycle coffee waste into functional items, reduce landfill use, and inspire customers to consider more sustainable practices.

Is this the first Starbucks location to use coffee grounds in furniture?

Yes, Starbucks Megabangna is the first concept store to turn recycled coffee grounds into built-in furniture pieces.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans That Complement Eco-Friendly Brewing

Try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright citrus and floral notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit tones—both ideal for highlighting the freshness that coffee grounds can bring to sustainable designs. For a deeper profile, FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling offers sweet caramel and mild spice, perfect for pairing with earthy, recycled materials. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.