Nespresso has developed a bulk recycling initiative, allowing its Business Solutions customers to recycle their used Professional aluminium Nespresso capsules.
The development has come about after growing concerns over the past few years regarding the sustainability and environmental impact of single-use coffee capsules. As of 2012, Nespresso claimed to have sold well over 27 billion of its aluminium capsules worldwide, many of which end up as waste in landfill.
The new initiative will strengthen the existing option for professional customers. The free recycling kit contains three boxes, capable of collecting up to 1,500 capsules each, and specially designed for the collection, storage and transport of large volumes of used capsules. Nespresso will also cover the cost of delivering the boxes and returning the used capsules back to Nespresso.
It will also enables workplaces to take a more proactive role in recycling participation amongst employees and customers by becoming a collection point for used capsules. Alternatively, a strata manager can provide this service to tenants.
The capsules are sent to a specialist recycling plant where equipment separates the aluminium from the used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds are sent to make compost and the aluminium is bailed and sent back into the aluminium industry to manufacture new products.
“Unlike most other portioned coffee products, our coffee capsules are made from aluminium, a material that is infinitely recyclable,” said Loc Rthor, general manager of Nespresso Australia and Oceania.
“We have been continuously looking for ways to make it easier for both our Business Solutions customers and consumers to recycle, as their participation is essential to make our recycling efforts a success.”
