SWITZERLAND – Nespresso, the coffee and coffee brewing business of Nestlé has an announced yet another important step towards promoting a circular economy with the launch of the first coffee capsules made using 80% recycled aluminium.
The company has launched the Original Line Master Origin Colombia coffee line made with the “first ever coffee capsules made from 80% recycled aluminium.”
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.
Nespresso notes that aluminium also optimally protects the freshness and aromas of high-quality coffee, providing a perfect barrier against oxygen, light and humidity and the company 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% less aluminium material, and is therefore 8% lighter. This is part of the company’s continued journey towards circularity, going further to minimize waste and maximize reuse of product materials.
“We are constantly challenging ourselves to improve the sustainability and circularity of our operations, including the way we source, use, and recycle materials,” said Jérôme Pérez, Nespresso Head of Sustainability.
“Reaching 80% recycled aluminium in our capsules is a significant milestone, and something we have worked hard to achieve together with our supplier.”
By the end of 2021, Nespresso aims to have the full Original Line and Vertuo ranges of coffee capsules made using recycled aluminium.
The launch of these capsules follows the introduction of new fully recyclable boxes for Nespresso machines, made from 95% recycled material, earlier this year in March. By the end of 2021, Nespresso also targets to have all machines sold in this new packaging.
“These new initiatives take Nespresso a step closer to creating a more circular business model,” said Jérôme Pérez. “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 revealed that it has also reached a global recycling rate of 30% and will continue to work to increase it. Since 2014, the company has invested over CHF 185 million (US$190m) in its recycling programs globally, with over 100’000 collection points in 53 countries.
Pérez said that consumer participation has been central to the success adding that the company aims to build on this positive momentum to promote recycling among consumers, working towards achieving our ultimate ambition of recycling all of its capsules.
In Other related developments, Nestlé has announced that Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of Sustainability at Temasek, has joined its Creating Shared Value (CSV) Council. The Council helps to ensure the sound development long term sustainability and positive social and economic impact of the CSV business strategy.
