Nespresso is the market leader in coffee capsules. That sector has grown here by almost 1000% in five years. That's a problem for its sustainability platform. Not so many weeks ago, it was confronted with the likelihood of having to defend its sustainability statements to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Internationally, Nespresso is aware of its responsibilities – and all the costs that flouting these would involve. So, it has been working with Mondi Coatings and has recently introduced an environmentally friendly collection bag for Nespresso's recycling program in Europe.
Mondi's paper-based bag is coated with Sustainex, Mondi’s biodegradable, compostable and recyclable biopolymer solution. The bag can be safely closed and sealed against moisture, due to its biopolymer extrusion coating of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified paper and a sealing strip.
Nespresso introduced a collection and recycling system for used aluminium capsules as part of the Nespresso Ecolaboration programme in 2009. There are currently more than 1,300 recycling collection points in Austria, for example, adding up to a recycling capacity of 84%.
According to Nestle, recycled aluminium generates only 5% of the CO2 emissions that are associated with primary aluminium. So the collection bag will help Nespresso make significant emissions reductions, especially if the program is expanded globally.
Mondi Coatings was one of earliest companies to attach strategic importance to bioplastics. It now has a leading role in the development of sustainable packaging.
The Nespresso bag was developed to provide both sustainability and convenience and Mondi was chosen as Nespresso's partner to meet the strict environmental and convenience demands of this project.
Mondi Coatings originated what it has determined to be the perfect solution: a paper-based bag made of FSC-certified paper with a Sustainex coating. The collection bag is made from up to 85% renewable raw materials, and both the paper and coating are fully biodegradable according to DIN EN 13432. Because the FSC paper is rigid and has a rectangular flat bottom, the bag is stable.
"The use of paper in combination with Sustainex supports both the look and feel and the high environmental requirements that Nespresso envisioned," explained Michael Strobl, managing director Mondi Extrusion Coatings.
Mondi’s Sustainex ensures maximum safety and tightness with its excellent sealability and grease and moisture barrier. Furthermore, the biopolymer coating is thermo-sealed and avoids the use of glue almost entirely, so it is an eco-friendly and biodegradable solution.
Strobl added, “Both companies, Nespresso and Mondi, are strongly committed to sustainability and innovation. Thanks to our in-depth know-how of biopolymers and various packaging technologies, we were able to develop a truly perfect solution in cooperation with Nespresso."
“Recycling of capsules is one of the major corner stones of the Nespresso Ecolaboration program. As market leader, we value corporate responsibility and are proud of our independent recycling system. In close collaboration with leading experts, we want to make it as convenient as possible for our club members to collect coffee capsules. Thanks to the new Nespresso Recycling Bag we are confident to increase our recycling rate even more,” Dietmar Keuschnig, market director Nespresso Austria, acknowledged.
Once the bag is full, it can safely be closed with the help of a sealing strip and then easily transported to one of 1.300 local recycling points. Both the bag and the coffee are fully compostable and the aluminium is infinitely recyclable.
