San Jose, August 12 (RHC)-- Costa Rican researchers have found a way to turn coffee waste into electric energy, the University of Costa Rica (UCR) has announced.

The process also prevents ozone-depleting greenhouse gases, such as methane, from entering the atmosphere by capturing the gases emitted by decomposing coffee waste and using them to power internal combustion engines.

Research students at the university's School of Chemical Engineering undertook the project to help Costa Rica's coffee growers decrease their impact on the environment.  In addition to decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, the process can save the producers money on fuel.

Costa Rica's Environment and Energy Ministry is supporting the team's work, as are the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica and the Ministry of Agriculture, among other agencies, as part of what is known as "nationally appropriate mitigation action" or NAMA.

NAMA refers to policies each country can take to meet commitments to cutting down on greenhouse gases.