URBAN OYSTER is tackling three problems by reducing waste, food miles and Ireland’s carbon footprint. Coffee is one of the largest globally traded commodities, yet only 1% of the plant biomass ends up in the cup after the final brewing process. The bulk of coffee waste ends up in landfill, where it often breaks down to produce harmful methane gases. Thousands of kilos of coffee grounds are thrown away every week in Ireland and, unbeknownst to many, these grounds make a fantastic substrate for growing mushrooms. Coffee grounds are perfect for growing oyster mushrooms, because they are full of essential minerals and necessary elements for healthy, gourmet mushrooms to thrive on. After the two or three harvests the grounds are spent as a medium for mushrooms, but becomes a nutrient-rich soil enhancer for a garden and a livestock feed.

• Social enterprise (i.e. for-profit company, but has primary objective to achieve social and/or ecological benefits)

• Providing knowledge transfer / advisory / education services
• Conducting research, pilot studies and/or living labs
• Raising awareness and/or political agenda-setting
• Facilitating dialogue and networking
• Developing and/or producing goods
• Showcasing and/or demonstrating practices