Nespresso has launched coffee capsules made using 80 per cent recycled aluminium, as part of the company’s continued journey towards circularity, going further to minimise waste and maximise reuse of product materials.
The first coffee capsules made from 80 per cent recycled aluminium are the Original Line Master Origin Colombia coffee. By the end of 2021, Nespresso aims to have the full Original Line and Vertuo ranges of coffee capsules made using recycled aluminium.
The move closely follows its introduction of new machine boxes in fully recyclable packaging made of 95 per cent recycled material in March.
“We are constantly challenging ourselves to improve the sustainability and circularity of our operations, including the way we source, use, and recycle materials,” Nespresso head of sustainability Jérôme Pérez said.
According to the company, aluminium is infinitely recyclable and is one of the most widely recycled materials in the world. Recycled aluminium requires less energy to produce than a virgin product, so it is well-suited to use in a circular business model.
Aluminium also optimally protects the freshness and aromas of high-quality coffee, providing a barrier against oxygen, light and humidity. Nespresso has always been using aluminium for its capsules for these reasons.
Made of a thinner aluminium foil, each new capsule is produced using 9.2 per cent less aluminium material, and is therefore eight per cent lighter.
Due to the composition of the aluminium alloy required to produce Nespresso capsules, 80 per cent is the current maximum amount of recycled content that can be used today, according to the company.
However, Nespresso continues to look at solutions that will increase that percentage.
“These new initiatives take Nespresso a step closer to creating a more circular business model,” Pérez said.
“We will continue to work towards increasing the proportion of recycled aluminium in our coffee capsules and to drive up the recycling rate of our used capsules, making it as easy as possible for our customers to recycle them.”
Nespresso also mentioned that it has reached a global recycling rate of 30 per cent, and will continue to work to increase it.
“Consumer participation is central to success, so we are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm our customers have shown in achieving our current recycling rate. We aim to now build on this positive momentum,” Pérez said.
“We will continue our efforts to promote recycling among consumers, working towards achieving our ultimate ambition of recycling all of our capsules.”
