Coffee Husks Ignite New Fire: Startup’s Eco-Friendly Logs Blaze a Trail

From Breakroom Dregs to Business Success

Tired of that depressing, burnt coffee smell in the office breakroom? For Maddie Cataldo and Maya Nefs, that aroma is a sign of something different: the potential for a booming business. The pair are transforming coffee waste into a sustainable product, a move that is turning heads.

Cataldo and Nefs‘s innovation centers on coffee chaff. This is the dry husks discarded during bean roasting. They’re using this waste to create campfire logs and firestarter sticks. Their enterprise, named Blazin’ Joe, aims to reduce environmental impact and offer a healthier alternative to standard fire products. The firestarters even have a pleasant, toasted scent.

A Sustainable Solution for Firewood

The entrepreneurs’ product is more than just a campfire log; it’s a statement. Blazin’ Joe is making an impact in the circular economy.

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“We want to make an environmentally friendly product, and also one that’s a lot better alternative for your health than what’s out there,”

—Maddie Cataldo

As of 2024, the global market for sustainable firelighters is estimated at $3.2 billion, a figure that continues to grow as consumers increasingly seek eco-conscious options (Industry Report).

How It Works

Nefs obtains the coffee husks from local roasters. She and Cataldo then process and package the product in a Golden, Colorado, garage. They utilize a modified Crock-Pot for melting soy wax and a drill with an auger bit for mixing. They also have merchandise, like sustainably printed T-shirts.

Cataldo and Nefs met in college. Cataldo used the burning-coffee concept for her business capstone project. Cataldo’s father, who previously sold a biodiesel sustainable fuel company, assisted them in refining the process. They’re now addressing the typical challenges that come with a growing small business, like securing warehouse space to fulfill larger orders.

Blazin’ Joe has secured shelf space at Ace Hardware stores. They’re also using a two-state strategy to explore new markets. They are also evaluating their online sales options.