A new program to reduce the environmental impact of single-use coffee capsules was launched by Nespresso on Monday.
Single-serve coffee systems have been widely criticized for the amount of waste they produce, especially those made from a combination of aluminum and plastic.
While Nespresso’s capsules are made of 100 per cent aluminum, which can be recycled again and again without degrading the quality of the material, the company recognizes that recycling might be off-putting for a product whose appeal is partly based on convenience.
“The capsules have always been recyclable in Canada, but people would have to open it, empty it, clean it and remove the coffee ground,” Caroline Deguay of Nespresso Canada said. “First of all, it’s a waste because the coffee grounds can be repurposed as well.
“We know that Canadians want to recycle, so we just wanted to make sure that we give them a solution that is as easy as possible so they are inclined to do it.”
Partnering with Canada Post for the new Red Bag program, Nespresso will provide a recyclable bag to consumers that they can fill with used coffee capsules and send through the mail, at no extra cost.
“We take great pride in helping Canadian businesses grow, and in offering more convenience to busy Canadians,” Rod Hart, vice-president of parcels and international business for Canada Post, stated in a news release.
The bags can be dropped off at any Canada Post outlet or can be placed directly into one of Canada Post’s public mailboxes.
Once the bags reach the recycling facility, the coffee grounds and aluminum are mechanically separated. The grounds are then sent to be used by farms as compost, while the aluminum is collected and sold.
Nespresso said it aims to have a “100 per cent neutral carbon footprint by the year 2020.”
