Properties and Mechanical Performance of Cement Mortars Incorporating Coffee Grounds Residues

Current advances in sustainability and innovation have led to research and development of new eco-friendly construction materials. Recycling or transforming waste materials, which are unlikely to end up on landfill sites, into usable materials for construction applications, will significantly reduce the demand for virgin quarry materials. Used coffee grounds, for example, are a by-product of the brewing process, an unavoidable waste product these days. Coffee production and consumption are on the increase worldwide, and particularly in Senegal with the advent of 'Touba' coffee. This coffee is specific and its use generates a significant amount of waste. The usual disposal of this organic waste in landfill sites constitutes a risk for humans and the environment. The aim of this article is to use coffee grounds to produce new, environmentally-friendly building materials. The residues were used at 2%, 3% and 5% partial cement replacement to assess the mechanical and microstructural performance of the mortars produced. The main results showed that a small quantity of coffee waste led to a reduction in the apparent density of mortars and a drop in mechanical performance (while still maintaining acceptable values).