Nespresso has launched what it claims are the first coffee capsules made using 80% recycled aluminium, as the company continues its journey towards a circular business model.
The first capsules to be made with the new packaging is the Original Line Master Origin Colombia coffee line.
“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.
He added: “Reaching 80% recycled aluminium in our capsules is a significant milestone, and something we have worked hard to achieve together with our suppliers.”
The launch follows the introduction of new fully recyclable boxes for Nespresso machines, made from 95% recycled material, earlier this year.
By the end of 2021, Nespresso intends to have the full Original Line and Vertuo ranges of coffee capsules made using recycled aluminium, as well as all machines sold in recyclable boxes.
Made of a thinner aluminium foil, each new capsule is produced using 9.2% less aluminium material and is therefore 8% lighter.
Due to the composition of the aluminium alloy required to produce Nespresso capsules, the brand claims that 80% is the current maximum amount of recycled content that can be used today.
“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,” added Pérez.
Since 2014, the company said it has invested over 185 million CHF ($190 million) in its recycling programmes globally, with over 100,000 collection points across 53 countries and a global recycling rate of 30%.
Last year, Nespresso committed $1.2 million to improve the recycling rates of Nespresso coffee capsules through New York’s curbside recycling programme.
The brand also announced a year prior, that it would continue to work alongside its partners to use responsibly-sourced aluminium compliant with the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) standard.
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