Pau Gutierrez
Manila, Philippines — Apart from its global thrust to support local coffee growers, Nespresso – part of the Swiss multinational Nestle – is pushing big on its corporate sustainability program by converting their product waste into reusable materials.
Just this April, the company collaborated with Katipunan Metals Corporation so that its recycled single-serve pods can be turned into its raw form to be used in the manufacturing of aluminum products such as car parts, computer parts, and other products, thereby limiting the environmental impact of its capsules.
The company has also partnered with Swiss writing and drawing instruments company Caran d’Ache to produce their second limited edition ballpoint pen, made from, again, recycled coffee capsules. Interestingly, these aluminum pods are even refashioned into casings for Victorinox Swiss Knives.
the pH of coffee grounds has been reported to be anything from 4.6 to 8.4. If the soil is acidic and the crop needs more alkalinity, the coffee grounds will help improve the soil’s acidity level. They also happen to be excellent natural pest repellent so farms don’t
have to use pesticides and other chemicals.
In certain countries, the Philippines included, consumers can mail back used capsules at no charge when they order their coffee pods online, while direct collection is available for business-to-business accounts as well as upscale kitchen retailers that use Nespresso products.
You can also bring your used aluminum capsules at the following collection points: Nespresso Boutique at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Nespresso Pop Up Stores at The Podium, Greenbelt and One Bonifacio, BGC; Rustan’s Department Stores (Makati Shangrila, Alabang).
Novateur Coffee Concepts managing director Patrick Pesengco, in a previous article by Out of Town Blog, said that the goal of this effort is to get enough volume of used aluminum in the country to make it a sustainable operation.
Marc Nelson, speaking as a brand advocate at the recent Nespresso event gave an insightful testament to the brand’s sustainability commitment, and he wants people to know there are now many options to recycle your capsules.
“I enjoy having a Nespresso cup, and the convenience of making one is amazing. But what makes me appreciate the brand so much more is that they really do care about recycling. When I tell people to bring their capsules to boutiques, they always tell me, ‘Oh, it’s good that Nespresso is doing that now,” and I have to correct them by telling them, “No. They’re not doing it just now. They’ve always been doing this, ever since they opened their first boutique in the Philippines. In fact, I have relatives from Australia who also turn in their pods for recycling.’”
During this event, Nespresso likewise introduced another aspect of its coffee products and showed select media guest how they lend a second life to their coffee grounds–a process that allows them and encourages coffee drinkers everywhere to make their contribution to the environment.
When separated from the aluminum capsule, the Nespresso coffee grounds can be reused as fertilizer to improve the soil and provide nutrients to the plants.
They add organic material to the soil, which helps in creating better structure by improving the drainage, water retention, and aeration in the soil. They are also beneficial as fillers, improving the soil’s texture and porosity. Finally, the pH of coffee grounds has been reported to be anything from 4.6 to 8.4.
If the soil is acidic and the crop needs more alkalinity, the coffee grounds will help improve the soil’s acidity level. They also happen to be excellent natural pest repellent so farms don’t have to use pesticides and other chemicals.
This is why Nespresso partners with several organic farms where used coffee grounds are sent to be utilized as natural compost, like Holy Carabao Holistic Farms, a biodynamic farm selling produce, meat & other health-conscious products co-owned by Melanie Go and Hindy Weber Tantoco.
According to them, Holy Carabao Farms mix Nespresso coffee grounds in a compost, along with other natural dry and wet materials, adding that this is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus to your lawn or garden that fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. Composting also reduces methane production (a major source of greenhouse gas) during organic matter breakdown.
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