What happens to the aluminum and coffee grounds?

Recycled Nespresso capsules re-enter the aluminum usage cycle and are used for various purposes, such as manufacturing car engines, bicycles, computers, juice boxes, and even new capsules. We also reuse the coffee grounds to create nutrient-rich compost or green energy.

Are Nespresso professional capsules made from recycled aluminum?

Nespresso capsules require a specific type of aluminum. The availability of recycled aluminum of this type is very low. In fact, Nespresso capsules are the best source of recycled aluminum of this type. We use recycled Nespresso capsules to make new capsules whenever possible and environmentally relevant.

Regarding business-to-business customers, how can they recycle used capsules?

Nespresso's professional range capsules can be recycled in the same way as our home capsules. The collection and recycling of capsules are discussed case by case with our customers, and for this reason, we have created customized services in the countries where we operate to ensure their recycling.

Professional Coffee Capsules Recycling | Nespresso™ Professional

HOW COFFEE CAPSULES ARE RECYCLED?

At Nespresso Professional, we see your business as a place where you, your employees or guests can experience exceptional coffee while contributing to a more sustainable environment.

We are committed to making it easy for you recycling your capsules in just 4 easy steps. Find out how to recycle with us and what happens to used coffee capsules and brands when you send them to us.

Collecting

Collect the used capsules in a recycling bag or in the special box provided for the collection of capsules.

Shipping

Request collection of capsules through courier partners directly on the website, for a maximum of 500 capsules, or through the Support Service, specifying the quantity.

Processing

The used capsules are collected and processed. The aluminum is separated from the used coffee, the latter being used as fertilizer.

Converting

The aluminum in the Nespresso Professional Capsules will start the journey to get a second chance.

THE CAPSULE'S JOURNEY TO RECYCLING

At Nespresso Professional, we focus not only on providing exceptional coffee, but also on supporting a cause, a purpose. By choosing Nespresso Professional, you are not only treating your guests and employees to the best coffee experience, but you are also playing an important role in creating a better and more environmentally responsible future.

ALUMINUM CAPSULE

Coffee is protected from external factors, and its precious flavors remain intact inside.

Currently, aluminum is the safest way to protect the extraordinary aromas and delicate taste of our coffee.

Aluminum is an extremely lightweight material that has the ability to perfectly isolate roasted and ground coffee from external factors that could affect its quality, such as air, humidity, or light.

SUSTAINABLE SOURCES

We promote coffee consumption from sustainable sources.

Here at Nespresso, we look for ways to improve things whenever we can. That's why we are committed to always using responsible practices.

This means we provide the ultimate coffee experience in every cup while adhering to a sustainable development program with tangible results.

COFFEE GROUNDS

The last drop of coffee is not the last use of coffee grounds.

Once separated from aluminum, coffee grounds can be reused in increasingly innovative ways.

Today, you can find them in fertilizers for rice plantations or vineyards. They can also be transformed into renewable energy, such as biofuel for buses.

ALUMINUM CAPSULE

The life of the capsule doesn't end with the last drop of coffee.

Aluminum is a 100% recyclable material and can be reused indefinitely.

From each recycled coffee capsule, other objects can be created that you will encounter every day – such as other capsules, bicycles, knives, chairs, pens, window frames, or watch cases.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER RECYCLING?

Through green practices and recycling, we can help protect the environment and ensure that every cup of coffee served in your business has a positive impact on nature.

Switzerland

The Nespresso mission continues, leaving its mark in the new limited edition Caran d 'Ache pens in the colors of the capsules.

Spain

In Spain, coffee from recycled Nespresso capsules is on a permanent journey through the rice fields of the Ebru Delta.

Italy

From coffee beans to rice grains.
Food Bank of Lombardy and Nespresso.

SINGAPORE

In Nespresso Singapore, the coffee grounds used from recycled Nespresso capsules are sent to the local farm, Sky Greens, to be turned into nutrient-rich compost to grow fresh organic produce such as Pak Choy.

ARGENTINE

In Argentine, aluminum is transformed into new objects, and coffee is donated to the Huerta Niño Foundation with the goal of setting up vegetable gardens for low-income schools to ensure children 's nutrition.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Nespresso capsules are made from aluminum - an infinitely recyclable material and the most efficient one for preserving the quality and delicate flavors of freshly roasted and ground coffee. Nespresso has implemented its own recycling programs over 30 years ago and has been continuously investing, committing to providing customers with simple and convenient methods for recycling coffee capsules.

Nespresso has its recycling program, currently offering customers the option to recycle used coffee capsules. Additionally, the collection of used coffee capsules can be done throughout Romania by handing them over to the courier at the time of the next coffee order delivery, by selecting the Recyclable Capsule Pickup option for up to 500 capsules. For quantities exceeding 500 capsules, a specific request can be made to the email address nespressopro.romania@nespresso.com. Worldwide, Nespresso currently has over 100,000 recycling points, as well as used capsule collection services through couriers, and collaborates with governments and local authorities in the countries where it is present to include aluminum capsules in existing collective recycling systems.

We use aluminum because it is the most efficient material for preserving the flavors, taste, and quality of freshly roasted and ground coffee selected for Nespresso varieties. Aluminum is a natural metal that can be infinitely recycled. Approximately 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today. Aluminum is a material used for a wide range of products, from food packaging to cars, computers, window frames, or bicycles.

Through Nespresso's used capsule recycling program, the capsules are sent to our recycling centers. The capsules are cut, and aluminum is separated from the coffee grounds. The coffee grounds are used to create nutrient-rich compost or green energy. The emptied capsules are heated to melt the inner food-grade foil. Once only pure aluminum remains, it is melted and recycled.

In general, plastic capsules require additional packaging, such as an additional wrapper to ensure freshness. Surprisingly, this wrapper is often made of aluminum. Thus, we use aluminum to protect the freshness and quality of our coffee because we believe it is the most suitable material for protecting the environment, reducing the need for additional packaging, and being infinitely recyclable.

We believe that, in terms of sustainable development, individually portioned coffee is a future strategy. We use Life Cycle Assessment evaluations to measure the carbon footprint of all our products. We work at all stages of product life cycles - from coffee plantations to the final coffee tasting moment - to reduce the impact of our products on the environment. Since 2009, we have already reduced the carbon footprint of each Nespresso coffee cup by nearly 20%.

We use Life Cycle Assessment evaluations to measure the impact of our products on the environment. According to these assessments, the greatest environmental impact comes from coffee cultivation and the use of espresso machines. Packaging ranks third in terms of environmental impact. Thanks to the Nespresso system, where individually portioned coffee is prepared using state-of-the-art espresso machines, our customers use exactly the amount of water, coffee, and energy needed to make a cup of coffee, without wasted resources. As a result, food waste, water, and energy use are minimal. Using resources in a high-precision consumption system like Nespresso significantly reduces waste, and in most cases, this waste reduction compensates for the additional packaging used for portioned coffee and adds value.

NESPRESSO PROFESSIONAL

Enjoy the full Nespresso Professional experience, knowing that together we aim to make a positive impact on the environment and the quality of the best coffee to delight you with a wide variety of authentic blends.