Finalist OF 2024
Bean Around
University:
- University College Dublin
Country:Ireland
Industries:
- Clean Energy,
- Cosmetic
Supports these SDGs:
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Founders Aisling Wood, Sadhbh Wood, & Jack Tiernan
Upcycled Coffee Skincare Solutions
Bean Around transforms waste by repurposing used coffee grounds into sustainable, value-added products that benefit both the skin and the planet. Founded by Irish natives, the company originated with a homemade, coffee-based solution by founders Aisling and Sadhbh for their father’s psoriasis. This inspired a larger mission to advance the circular economy of coffee waste.
By collecting 100% repurposed coffee grounds from local cafes, Bean Around creates innovative products like exfoliating bars and CoffChar, a sustainable biochar, demonstrating how discarded materials can have new life. With contracts in major retailers and a commitment to global sustainability, Bean Around is proving meaningful change can start with a single cup of coffee.
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Impact
Bean Around is addressing the six million tons of spent coffee grounds produced globally each year by transforming waste into sustainable products. Committed to making eco-friendly choices accessible, all Bean Around packaging is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable. By selling their products in the very coffee shops where the grounds were sourced, Bean Around empowers customers to actively participate in the circular economy, reducing the 75% of coffee grounds that would otherwise end up in landfills.
24,000t
CO2 prevented by 2028
900kg
used coffee repurposed
15,800t
used coffee repurposed by 2025
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Our experience at the Hult Prize competition was unlike anything we could have imagined! Living and collaborating with social entrepreneurs from across the world with the shared focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals was both inspiring and transformative. It pushed us to think outside the box, and ultimately reaffirmed our commitment to creating sustainable, impactful solutions that can make a real difference in the world. As we continue to grow Bean Around, our participation and hard work during the competition continues to pay off.
Sadhbh Wood
Co-founder