In my attempt to avoid waste as much as possible, I took to Google to find out if anything can be done with the usually discarded cocoa bean shells. I've turned to several sources with differing advice.  Some research shows that the shells are a rich source of dietary fiber and protein and contain several valuable bioactive compounds, including caffeine, flavonoids, and theobromine. For this reason, they are potentially usable within cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural uses. I've seen most evidence towards using the shells as garden fertilizer and within gardening uses.