Nespresso today announced the launch of the first coffee capsules on the market made using 80% recycled aluminium, as part of the company’s continued journey towards circularity, going further to minimize waste and maximize the reuse of product materials. The move closely follows the introduction in March of new machine boxes in fully recyclable packaging made of 95% recycled material.
“Reaching 80% recycled aluminium in our capsules is a significant milestone and something we have worked hard to achieve together with our suppliers,” said Jérôme Pérez, Nespresso Head of Sustainability.
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 perfect 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% less aluminium material, and is therefore 8% lighter.
The first-ever coffee capsules made from 80% recycled aluminium are the Original Line Master Origin Colombia coffee. They were introduced in March this year in selected countries and will continue to be rolled out from July onwards.
The launch of the 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 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.”