Everything you need to know about recycling coffee capsules
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Learn more about recycling coffee capsules and pods
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How to recycle coffee capsules at work
Can they go in the recycling bin?
No, coffee capsules and pods should not be put in your recycling bin at home or work. Due to their small size, they will fall through the cracks at recycling facilities and contaminate other recycling streams.
Recycling aluminium coffee capsules
Nespresso provides its customers with a recycling program for aluminium coffee capsules.
There are a few ways to recycle through the scheme:
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If your workplace or business makes a lot of coffee, you can contact Nespresso for a free bulk recycling box
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Small amounts of coffee capsules can be dropped off at your nearest Nespresso store, or participating florist or garden centre – use the search bar above to find a location near you
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If you don’t have a recycling point in your area, you can post the coffee capsules to Nespresso by purchasing an Australia Post satchel and returning it through the mail once it's full ($5 per bag)
Recycling plastic coffee capsules
Do not put plastic coffee pods in your recycling bin at home or work. If your workplace uses plastic coffee capsules or pods, check with the manufacturer to see if they offer a recycling service for customers.
Visit Terracycle for more information on other recycling services for plastic capsules.
Image credit: Nespresso
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Why recycle?
Recycling coffee capsules through recycling schemes or commercial recyclers ensures the waste is turned into new products and materials.
The aluminium in aluminium coffee capsules can be recovered and used again to make all sorts of products, including new coffee capsules. Aluminium is a valuable material that is infinitely recyclable – that means it can be recycled again and again without any loss in quality.
The used coffee, also known as coffee grounds, can be composted and used again to nurture vegetation.
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What happens to them?
Aluminium coffee capsules collected through Nespresso’s recycling scheme are taken to a facility where the aluminium is separated from the coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are processed into compost and used in soil mix for landscaping. Recycled aluminium from the capsules is returned to the aluminium industry to make new products.
Image credit: Nespresso
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Coming soon: Podcycle
Planet Ark is establishing a new product stewardship scheme in collaboration with coffee pod brands and stakeholders called Podcycle.
The scheme aims to establish a national recycling scheme for all types (to be confirmed) and brands of coffee pods, making it easier than ever for Australians to recycle their used coffee capsules and pods.
The scheme is currently in development and will launch soon. There are active recycling points located in Sydney and Melbourne as part of a trial.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coffee capsule?
Coffee capsules, sometimes referred to as coffee pods, are small containers filled with coffee grounds that can be used in special machines to make coffee. Coffee capsules can be made of aluminium or plastic.
Are coffee capsules bad for the environment?
It is estimated that Australian’s consume 3 million coffee capsules each day and only around 10% of these are recycled.
As used coffee capsules contain valuable resources, including aluminium, coffee grounds, and plastic, it’s important they are recycled and these resources are reused, rather than wasted. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and coffee grounds make great compost.
Due to their small size and mixed materials, coffee capsules cannot be recycled via household recycling bins. However, there are currently some specialist recycling solutions for certain brands such as Nespresso’s recycling program for aluminium coffee capsules. You can use the search bar on this page to find collection points for aluminium coffee capsules near you.
Although not all brands of coffee capsules can currently be recycled, the good news is a national product stewardship scheme is set to launch very soon. Planet Ark’s Podcycle, will provide a free national recycling solution for all brands of coffee capsules.
Are aluminium coffee capsules and pods recyclable?
Certain bands can be recycled through specialised recycling programs run by Nespresso (details above) and Terracycle. Coffee capsules and pods should never be put in your household recycling bin.
Aluminium coffee capsules can be recycled through specialist recycling programs such as Nespresso’s program. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be recycled over and over again without any reduction in quality. The coffee grounds inside the pods can also be recycled into compost.
Are plastic coffee capsules and pods recyclable?
Certain brands can be recycled through specialised recycling programs run by Terracycle. Coffee capsules and pods should never be put in your household recycling bin.
