From Coffee Waste to Campfire Bliss: How Two CU Grads Are Revolutionizing Eco-Friendly Fire Starters

Turning Coffee Waste into Eco-Friendly Fire Starters

Maddie Cataldo and Maya Nefs, two University of Colorado business school graduates and hockey teammates, have found a unique way to repurpose coffee waste into eco-friendly fire starters and campfire logs. Their company, Blazin’ Joe, transforms coffee bean husks—a byproduct of the roasting process—into sustainable fire products by mixing them with soy-based wax.

The Birth of Blazin’ Joe

The idea sparked during Cataldo’s business capstone project. Initially, they experimented with used coffee grounds but found the drying process too energy-intensive. Switching to coffee chaff (the dry husks from roasted beans) proved to be a game-changer, thanks to guidance from Cataldo’s father, who had experience in the biodiesel industry.

How It Works

• Sustainable Materials: The husks are collected from local roasters, mixed with soy wax, and pressed into bricks or firestarter sticks.
• Eco-Friendly Benefits: Unlike traditional fire logs made with petroleum-based chemicals, Blazin’ Joe’s products burn cleaner and emit a neutral smoke, perfect for roasting marshmallows.
• Handmade Process: The duo operates out of Nefs’ garage, using modified Crock Pots, a drill with an auger bit, and 3D-printed molds to create their products.

Challenges and Triumphs

• Growing Pains: Scaling production is a hurdle. They need larger spaces and consistent coffee chaff supplies to meet demand.
• Retail Success: Their products are now sold in Ace Hardware stores, priced at $27 for four campfire logs and $9 for eight firestarters.
• Community Support: Blazin’ Joe won the 2025 NextCycle Colorado pitch competition, earning a $5,000 grant to expand their business.

Beyond Fire Logs: Sustainable Merch

Blazin’ Joe also offers eco-conscious merchandise, including T-shirts made with sustainable cotton and water-based ink. Each shirt sale donates $2 to the Nature Conservancy and $2 to the local artist who designed them.

The Bigger Picture

Colorado is emerging as a leader in the circular economy, with initiatives like Denver’s citywide composting and producer fees for packaging waste. Blazin’ Joe exemplifies how startups can turn waste into value while staying true to environmental principles.

"We want to be the kind of business we’d support when we’re shopping," Cataldo said. "It’s about making choices that align with our values."