Circular Solutions with Reground

For someone new to the concept, what does a circular economy look like in practice through your work? 
To explain circular economy solutions like Reground, it helps to start with what usually happens in most cafes and offices. A coffee is brewed, and the used grounds go into general waste. Once in landfill, the grounds break down without oxygen and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Reground bin offers a simple alternative. Instead of sending coffee grounds to landfill, we collect them and redistribute them to local gardens and community members for productive use. In essence, it is a different bin and a different system, where coffee grounds become a local resource that supports soil health, food growing, and stronger community connection. 

Which materials do you collect and repurpose, and what are the most common misconceptions about them? 
Reground collects ground coffee, chaff (the husk of the coffee bean), and soft plastics. Ground coffee and chaff are redistributed to local gardens. The biggest misconception tends to sit with cafes and offices, many of which underestimate how much coffee waste they generate and the impact it has as a waste stream. Diverting it from landfill is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions linked to daily operations. For soft plastics, the most common misconception is that there is no Australian solution for recycling them. Reground works with reputable local partners who process this material here in Australia. While reducing soft plastic use should always be the priority, once it exists, it needs to be collected and managed responsibly. 

How do you help apartment buildings reduce waste without overcomplicating systems for residents? 
We are proud of the service we have provided to apartment buildings since 2017, called Circular Systems, an all-in-one waste and resource recovery service designed for multi-unit buildings. It includes waste and recycling collection across multiple streams, waste audits to ensure each building is serviced appropriately, and ongoing tenant engagement. The model is seamless and integrated, so it operates effectively in the background as part of everyday building life. As a result, our buildings are among the highest-performing for circularity and resource recovery, and we have even had residents and guests mention in Airbnb reviews that their favourite part of the stay was the bin room. 

What are the biggest quick wins you see when you start working with a business on waste minimisation? 
The biggest quick win is empowering staff. When we work with teams, we often see an immediate shift, with people becoming more engaged and ready to take ownership. By backing internal champions and supporting them in waste minimisation, the work delivers strong results and can multiply impact. 

How can individuals and businesses get involved? 
The best way to get involved is to sign up for our ground coffee and soft plastic collection service. If you have a coffee machine or run a retail store, it is a simple, practical place to start, and an easy way to join our community while increasing your environmental and social impact.

LEARN MORE https://reground.com.au/