Shell is working as part of a collaboration to power a number of London buses with biofuel made from waste coffee grounds.

The energy giant is working with bio-bean to help scale-up its innovative B20 coffee oil-based biofuel.

Buses and a number of other diesel vehicles can run using the fuel without need for any modification.

Its developers say it provides a cleaner, more sustainable energy solution for transport across the city by decreasing emissions.

The average Londoner drinks 2.3 cups of coffee a day, producing more than 200,000 tonnes of waste a year, much of which would otherwise end up in landfill and potentially emit 126 million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide.

Founder of bio-bean, Arthur Kay, said: “With the support of Shell, bio-bean and Argent Energy have created thousands of litres of coffee-derived B20 biodiesel which will help power London buses for the first time.

“It’s a great example of what can be done when we start to reimagine waste as an untapped resource.”

• Bio-bean, Biofuel, London, Low Carbon, Shell, Sustainability, coffee