Deborah Rothenberg is on a mission to get Londoners to take their coffee with a clear conscience.

The 38-year-old, who works in marketing, is one of Boris Johnson’s new London Leaders, responsible for promoting sustainability projects. She hopes to use the year-long post to bring the Ground to Ground initiative to more coffee shops.

With its roots in Australia, the project encourages people to convert used coffee grounds into compost. Ms Rothenberg is working on a London map identifying restaurants and cafés giving away used grounds for this purpose.

The Stroud Green resident has been interested in sustainability since her days in Habonim Dror. She will also be running a student contest to come up with an advert for Ground to Ground.

“It’s one cup at a time,” Ms Rothenberg said. “Next time you get a coffee say: ‘Can I get the grounds?’ as well.”

Welcoming the eight new leaders, Mr Johnson congratulated them “on having the vision and the drive to make a real difference in their communities”.