Unearthing a sustainable life starting with coffee
Coffee has always been a reliable companion to start a good day. What more if the cup holds an exceptional coffee. With Nespresso in mind, the experience begins with selecting the blend for the day, all the way to breathing in the pleasant aroma while extracting the coffee from machine to cup, then to the first sip. Suddenly, motivation sparks and it builds on down to the last sip. But the journey doesn’t end there; it’s the beginning of infinite possibilities.
Voted as the World’s Most Sustainable Coffee Company in the Coffee Processing Industry 2021 by the World Finance Magazine, Nespresso invites everyone to use coffee as a force for good by supporting causes and organizations that promote sustainability.
Represented by Novateur Coffee Concepts Inc., the company partnered with entities that recycle aluminum capsules, reuse discarded coffee grounds as fertilizers, and ensure responsible waste management overall. Nespresso Club Members can share in these efforts and lead a more sustainable lifestyle by simply returning used coffee capsules in any Nespresso boutique.
Recycling aluminum capsules
Almost all Nespresso coffee capsules are made from 80% infinitely recyclable aluminum, which requires less energy to produce than raw materials. This feature allows the brand to further circularity by minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse of product materials for various uses—including art—to ultimately support vulnerable communities.
One of the collaborators is a youth-led organization called For The Future PH, which is known for leading various humanitarian solutions including typhoon relief and reforestation projects. Young, emerging artists were commissioned to create original artworks that integrate sustainable materials including aluminum and coffee grounds from used Nespresso capsules. All proceeds are in support of the organization’s ongoing reforestation efforts with the Yangil Tribe in Zambales, one of the affected areas after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
“Art and sustainability have always been at the forefront of For the Future, so we’re happy to know that Nespresso values both as well. With using aluminum capsules and coffee grounds, Nespresso is reaching out to artists to share our message,” shared Issa Barte, For The Future PH Co-Founder.
Another is the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation (NVC)‘s Artisans of Hope project which provides livelihood to vulnerable individuals and feeds undernourished children. Volunteers train those with limited income opportunities to create fine art from discarded materials like eggshells, leftover tiles, and Nespresso capsules. Many of the shredded aluminum are upcycled into mosaic-style decorative art. All proceeds from sold artworks are used to support NVC’s feeding program for children in need.
Additionally, Nespresso partnered with Katipunan Metal Corporation to reuse discarded aluminum by melting the capsules and turning them into ingots. These can then be made into new products including kitchenware, bike parts, computer parts, automotive parts, and more.
Reusing coffee grounds
Nespresso reuses discarded coffee grounds as fertilizer. Known for being rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, coffee grounds are turned into natural compost to aid in the healthier plant growth of select crops and flowering plants. This is why Nespresso’s recycling program also separates coffee grounds from used aluminum capsules, which are then sent to local organic farms like Nutriganics Farm in Cavite, Saret Organic Farmville in Bulacan, and Palaya Farm in Rizal.
Practicing responsible waste management
To guarantee overall proper waste management of Nespresso in the country, the company has partnered with Geocycle Philippines and Envirocycle. The former is part of the global waste management business of LafargeHolcim Group, which envisions a zero-waste future by actively developing and promoting innovative, customized, and safe environmental waste management solutions. Meanwhile, the latter is a full-service e-waste recycling company that aims to prevent the disposal of potentially polluting electronic equipment into landfills. Instead, these are to be reused or recycled through fully licensed and accredited channels.
What’s more, is that Nespresso has been using a new packaging for its machines since its launch in March 2020, where it makes use of 95% recycled material. All in all, protecting the environment can be done with small, good actions that can ripple to big changes. Use coffee as a force for food and take part in Nespresso’s commitment to achieving more sustainable earth simply by returning used capsules in Nespresso boutiques.
For more information, visit www.nespresso.ph or follow @nespresso.ph on Instagram and @nespresso.phl on Facebook.
