The nespresso ecology pod: an environmental solution

The market for coffee packaged in pods is becoming more and more promising. Annually, billions of pods are consumed worldwide. This can generate significant waste, which can harm the environment. Nespresso is among the producers of coffee pods who are concerned about the ecological impact.

What are the environmental programs for the nespresso ecology pod?

Since the design of the pods, particularly the nespresso-compatible aluminium pod, this brand has been striving to find environmental solutions. Among them, it focuses on the collection and recycling of used pods.

Aluminium in the nespresso ecology pod and its recycling

Fortunately, the aluminium contained in the pod is a metal that can be recycled many times, if not infinitely. In France, almost the majority of consumers benefit from recycling solutions in their vicinity. When the pods are recycled, they go to one of the processing centres to separate the coffee grounds from the aluminium.

The different collection points

This brand developed its recycling service in 2008. 5,000 collection centres have been set up in France, notably in :

• Nespresso shops
• The supermarkets
• Nespresso Clubs
• Resellers

It has also established a partnership with various players, such as the Mondial Relay. This enables it to set up the various French waste collection centres. Its contract with La Poste consists of taking back used pods in exchange for a courier.

The different obstacles in the collection

One of the obstacles that society is currently facing is the conviction of consumers to respect recycling. A lot of people mix them up in the household garbage. However, because of its compact size, it is difficult to distinguish them in the waste. In fact, only 20% of used pods are recycled. Those that are not recycled are then scattered in nature, which can harm the environment. According to the brand, by 2025, 50% of these pods must be recycled.

Pod recycling

Without the recycling system, coffee pods are a real ecological precipice. According to the sale of coffee pods worldwide, it generates more than 400,000 tonnes of aluminium waste. However, this material is widely used in order to preserve the aroma of the coffee. Nespresso has a recycling program to recover used pods. It effectively raises awareness of this programme on its website, while identifying collection centres close to each consumer. Sorting centres are also set up in each region.

What are the alternative options to the nespresso ecology pod?

In addition to the ecological Nespresso pod, there are other alternatives, alleviating the problems associated with single-use pods.

Compostable and biodegradable pods

Other coffee pods compatible with the various Nespresso coffee machines are also available. Some of them do not contain aluminium at all, they are completely biodegradable. Their packaging is in fact compostablesand consist mainly of corn starch. They are actually OK Compst certified. After using it, you can dispose of the seal in the green bags.

Refillable pods

They are not only economic, but also ecological. Unlike its counterparts, it is not a single-use product. It can be kept throughout the year, depending on the material used. In order to use it, simply fill the pod with ground coffee and squeeze it down to prevent air from getting in the pod. However, 7 grams of coffee should be poured into the pod. After pouring, the coffee grounds must be removed from the coffee and rinsed with clean water. However, the constraint lies in the time needed to prepare and maintain the pod.

Is the nespresso ecology pod really a success?

Since the creation of these pods, in 2000, this brand has been successful, particularly in terms of compatible pods. The number of ecological pods sold is increasing every year. But this also increases the amount of waste to be treated. In order to meet the needs of consumers, Nespresso has set up treatment centres. This is thanks to its collaboration with the waste, aluminium and packaging industries.

Nespresso's commitments on these pods

For these coffee pods, Nespresso commits to :

• Designing these coffee pods using biodegradable and compostablematerials
• Designing packaging that ensures an optimal level of coffee conservation
• Adopt exclusivelygreen energy
• Reduceduse of inks
• Use cardboard packaging and vegetable-based inks

Preserving the Nespresso brand image

In order to maintain its image, the brand is working to create its recycling program, which is as follows:

• After use, the used pods must be put into the green bag, which is provided free of charge by the brand. The bags can then be obtained in shops or through the Post Office.
• As soon as the bag is full, we have to put it in one of the recycling bins.
• Nespresso has also established partnerships with recycling services in various cities. It makes a major contribution to the recovery of bags, containing used pods, for processing.
• This brand sorts coffee and aluminium for recycling.

 

For those interested in ecological pods, it is advisable to use Nespresso pods. Coffee pods are available in different sizes of packages and are also environmentally friendly. They are also available in different strengths, from strong to full-bodied. However, they are easy to access, both in physical stores and online.