DOING IS EVERYTHING
If there is one question that is no longer asked in 2021 is: why do we recycle? No one asks as everyone knows that today recycling is the easiest and quickest way to play your part in fighting environmental issues.
When we moved out from our parents’ places, Charles and I had a teeny tiny apartment in Geneva, with the smallest possible kitchen space and we still found a way to strategize our recycling, it might not have always been perfect, but we did our best with the means we had, because doing is everything, right?
It is with this philosophy that Nespresso’s activities are run, as its been 30 years this year that the brand, a pioneer in portioned coffee, sees the importance of introducing a recycling system for its aluminum capsules. I’ve been a Nespresso ambassador for almost four years now, and I haven’t missed a single opportunity to communicate on the robust recycling system established and developed by the swiss brand – now I would like to take advantage of this blogpost to answer some of your common questions regarding Nespresso’s recycling system:
Why aluminium?
Aluminium is the material that preserves the coffee quality and aroma and protects it efficiently against light, oxygen and humidity. Moreover, when its correctly recycled, it can be endlessly reused
How can we recycle our aluminium capsules?
You can dispose your used aluminium capsules at more than 3,700 collection points throughout Switzerland: Nespresso stores, Migros branches, public collection points, selected household appliance stores and Coop sales outlets. Personally I’m a big fan of Nespresso’s free « Recycling at Home » service for Nespresso customers that I’ve been using for years now, it is just so practical and carefree : basically you just drop your filled Nespresso recycling bag (each bag can hold up to 200 capsules and is provided for free) in your letter box’s storage compartment and your mail carrier will pick it up on his next round.
What happens to the capsules at the recycling center?
Huh I love this part as I’ve visited the recycling center in Moudon a few years ago and I’ve seen first hand what happens there. So, once at the recycling center, the aluminum and coffee grounds are separated from each other:
- The coffee grounds are transformed into renewable energy and natural fertilizer (local farmers love it as it is very powerful).
- The recovered aluminum is melted down to be reused in many other products such as cans, window frames, bicycles, car parts and iconic items such as a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, a Zena vegetable peeler and Nespresso x Caran d’Ache pens.
Will there be a new Nespresso Second Life collaboration?
Yes, following the success of the first three editions of the 849 Caran d’Ache + Nespresso ballpoint pen, the two Swiss brands are continuing to write the history of recycling for the 4th time with a new product: the very first Nespresso x Caran d’Ache Fixpencil! This mechanical pencil is made from recycled Nespresso capsules and is adorned with the bright, inspired by the design of Nespresso World Explorations Cape Town Envivo Lungo coffee (read all about this Nespresso coffee HERE). I was super impressed to hold this cool product in my hands, especially knowing that thanks to the ingenuity and the constantly perfected expertise of Caran d’Ache craftsmen, the graphite lead of the Fixpencil is made from recycled coffee grounds!
