Compostable Coffee Capsules: an image from the future

Making coffee capsules more environmentally friendly

Coffee capsules account for almost a quarter of total coffee sales worldwide, and their market share is growing rapidly. Ease of use, the release of more compatible capsules from different companies, the penetration of espresso in a larger audience, the drop in prices and the greater variety in blends are just some of the factors that favor the widest spread of espresso in capsules.

However, experts warn that the omnipotence of coffee in capsules is an environmental nightmare - and that we may need to change our habits soon.



Why do coffee capsules harm the environment?

Coffee capsules have a large environmental footprint for a number of reasons, the main ones of which are the following:

They produce more waste: While coffee (either available in beans or ground) produces only the packaging waste (which, in fact, is often recyclable), the capsules generate a lot more waste in terms of volume, as after use they end up in garbage.
Difficult to recycle: Many capsules are made from non-recyclable materials, others from a combination of materials, and even recyclable capsules require a special process (namely sorting centers, sending used capsules by mail, etc.), which dramatically increases environmental impact.
They are not made of environmentally friendly materials: Although many capsules are made of aluminum, a relatively environmentally friendly material, it is a fact that coffee capsules are in many cases filled with hard plastic, which is one of the most non-environmentally friendly. environmentally friendly materials.
They end up (almost always) in landfills: Used coffee capsules almost always end up in landfills, and this is bad for two main reasons: on the one hand, because of their large volume they take up a lot of space and on the other hand, their burning significantly burdens the atmosphere.

Living in the era of the abolition of plastic (the legal framework that will restrict its use will be implemented soon) it is a given that we should re-evaluate the way we consume coffee, and from the change of our habits the coffee capsules will not remain unaffected. Compostable coffee capsules are, without a doubt, something that will definitely concern us in the near future.

What are compostable coffee capsules?

Compostable coffee capsules are capsules made of a special material, which allows them to be disposed of in a compost bin rather than conventional waste. Besides, the used coffee is an organic waste that can be put in the relevant bin and become compost, so by choosing the right material, the whole capsule is composted, easily, quickly and simply.

Most of the time, compostable capsules are made from a combination of materials (the so-called bioplastic) which guarantees their 80% breakdown over a period of six months, although most companies that have the relevant capsules choose slightly different technologies for the materials they use. Even if we do not compost, the benefit of these capsules remains, as even if they are disposed of in conventional rubbish bins, they decompose much faster, without compromising the environment and without overfilling the landfills.

Of course, every company that has compostable espresso capsules mentions in detail both the relevant technology it has employed and the relevant certifications that the capsules carry in order to be classified as compostable. Before choosing the capsules to use, it is good to know both the relevant certifications and the technology that has been used.

Suggestions for espresso capsules, more environmentally friendly!

While most espresso capsule options make plastic and aluminum almost inevitable, many companies are releasing their blends into Nespresso compatible capsules, which are compostable and environmentally friendly.

The Italian company Vergnano recently launched all capsules for Nespresso machines in a compostable version. The range includes a wide range of blends for every taste (Arabica, Cremoso, Intenso, Lungo Intenso and Decaf) in practical, recyclable packaging. Following this trend, the Italian company Gimoka recently released a premium series of capsules with three blends (Arabica, Crema, Forte) that also follows the logic of composting.

Not a few companies choose this method of disposal for their most refined and luxurious blends: 101Caffe from Italy encloses in compostable capsules two excellent blends of organic coffee, while Cosmai Caffe from Milan chose this method for the excellent range of its single-origin coffees.

You can see all the available options in compostable capsules for Nespresso machines, here.



Our coffee is a very serious matter - time to make it more environmentally friendly, choosing compostable capsules for our Nespresso machine.