Exhibiting at Melbourne International COFFEE EXPO (MICE) 2025

Reground is a pioneering social enterprise based in Alphington, Victoria, Australia, that operates at the intersection of waste management, environmental education, and community empowerment. Established in 2014, Reground began by repurposing used coffee grounds from cafés and offices but has since evolved into a broader circular economy service provider offering practical waste solutions for businesses, councils, and communities.

The organization’s mission is to create a world without waste by helping individuals and organizations understand and reduce their environmental impact, particularly in urban and suburban settings.

Core Services and Offerings

Reground operates across three key service areas:

• Waste Collection Services:

  • Ground Coffee Collection: Diverts used coffee grounds from landfill and redistributes them to community gardens, home growers, and farmers as soil enhancers.
  • Chaff Collection: Collection and repurposing of husks from coffee roasting.
  • Soft Plastic Collection: Closed-loop recovery of soft plastics for proper recycling and reuse through vetted partnerships.

• Consultancy and Advisory Services:

  • Waste Change Management: Tailored audits, training, and transition plans for businesses and educational institutions looking to improve waste performance.
  • Apartment Building Waste Solutions: Design and implementation of composting and recycling systems in multi-residential environments.
  • Council & Government Partnerships: Engagement in pilot programs for kerbside reform and infrastructure development for sustainable urban waste systems.

All services are tailored to help clients move away from traditional linear waste models toward regenerative and circular systems.

Operational Impact and Reach

Since its inception, Reground has achieved measurable and growing impact:

• Diverted over 1,300,000 kg of waste from landfill, including:

  • 950,000+ kg of used coffee grounds
  • 320,000+ kg of chaff and organics
  • 90,000+ kg of soft plastics

• Services extend across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria, with an expanding network of drop-off points, café partners, and community composters.

• Collaborated with over 1,000 businesses, including:

  • Independent cafés and roasters
  • Government institutions
  • Commercial offices and apartment complexes
  • Educational campuses

Environmental and Community Outcomes

Reground’s model generates environmental, economic, and social value:

• CO₂e Reduction: Waste diversion has helped avoid an estimated 1,200+ tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions, primarily from methane that would result from landfilled organics.
• Soil Regeneration: Recycled coffee grounds have been returned to urban soil systems, improving nutrient content and water retention in over 500 community gardens and urban farms.
• Community Engagement: Ongoing workshops, presentations, and educational campaigns reach 5,000+ individuals annually through schools, libraries, and community centers.

Key Partnerships and Collaborations

• Supported by local councils including City of Yarra, Darebin Council, and City of Moreland in sustainability pilots and kerbside collection reform.
• Collaborates with organizations such as Sustain: The Australian Food Network, CERES Environment Park, and Australian Circular Economy Hub.
• Engaged in national-level discussions on circular waste systems and legislative shifts for organics and plastic recovery.

Certifications and Recognition

• Recognized by the Banksia Foundation for leadership in circular economy initiatives.
• Finalist in the Premier’s Sustainability Awards Victoria.
• Active contributor to National Waste Policy Action Plan (Australia) discussions and submissions.

Technology and Systems

• Operates a custom-built fleet of low-emission vehicles for collection routes.
• Implements digital waste tracking and reporting systems for commercial clients.
• Integrates data dashboards for performance measurement, impact reporting, and compliance.

Testimonials and Feedback

“Reground helped us build a waste system from the ground up—literally. We’ve reduced landfill waste by 40% and our employees are engaged like never before.” – Facilities Manager, Commercial Office, Melbourne

“We’ve seen first-hand how coffee waste is turned into compost gold. Our garden’s yield has doubled thanks to the nutrient-rich soil.” – Urban Farm Coordinator, Fitzroy

Educational and Advocacy Work

• Hosts waste literacy sessions for workplaces, schools, and councils.
• Produces toolkits for community groups looking to adopt composting and plastic diversion practices.
• Engages with universities and research institutes on material lifecycle studies and behavioral change science.

Strategic Goals and Vision

Looking ahead, Reground aims to:

• Expand services to other Australian states through regional collection hubs.
• Launch a subscription-based impact dashboard for businesses to track waste metrics.
• Develop community-led waste innovation incubators in partnership with local councils and sustainability groups.

Reground stands at the forefront of Australia’s circular economy movement, turning everyday waste into a resource and empowering communities to take action toward a more sustainable future—one bucket of coffee grounds at a time.