Per WorldAtlas, the coffee industry in Australia generates as much as $5.8 billion US Dollars in revenue in a year. But only 5% of Australia's cafés and coffee shops belong to big chains. Many coffee lovers in Australia make espressos from the comfort of their homes—with home espresso makers or pod coffee machines.
In general, each Australian consumes 1.91 kg of coffee yearly, 75% of that being instant coffee. This makes using coffee pods in Australia, and the associated need to recycle used coffee pods or capsules a priority.
Material Facts
Billions of plastic and aluminium coffee pods are thrown into landfill every year. These coffee capsules take up to 500 years to break down. As awareness of the environmental impact of these practices continues to grow, many brands have taken responsibility for being environmentally friendly.
According to research by Canstar Blue, only 28% of Australians use coffee pods that reduce their environmental footprint. If you are not part of that statistic, here's how to recycle used pods to help protect the environment. We group them by pod manufacturing companies and programs in Australia.
1. Nespresso
Nespresso's "seed to sip" approach aims to reduce the environmental impact at every product life-cycle stage. For used capsules, the company's page advises the following to recycle pods:
- Take the used coffee pods to their nearest Nespresso Boutique. The company has 19,000 collection points across Australia; find the closest to you.
- Post the used capsules back to Nespresso facilities through the prepaid Australia Post Recycling Satchel, which is available here. The package costs $4.90, including the postage cost, and fits up to 130 capsules.
- Find Nespresso Recycling boxes in your workplace or communities where you can dispose of coffee capsules.
2. Illy, L’OR, Campos and Moccona
Owned by JDE, these 3 brands have an eco-partnership with TerraCycle, through which users can recycle their aluminium coffee pods. You only need to collect your used coffee pods in a bag, preferably in the cardboard box where you received the products. Ensure that you can fit a minimum of 2kg (200 pods) and a maximum of 70kg with each box.
Once ready, post to the TerraCycle website to print a shipping label. Add the label to your box, seal it, and drop it off at a nearby post office. Similarly, you can arrange a pick-up by calling the phone number from the email you received your label.
Seal your used coffee pods in a plastic bag after drying them before placing them in the box. This will avoid any leakage in the box.
3. Caffitaly
Caffitaly capsules are recyclable too. The company uses polypropylene which is easy to recycle and has energy production purposes. There is, however, no official process for recycling their coffee capsules.
If you use Caffitaly, here's what to do. First, ensure that you wash the capsules to avoid contamination from proceeds, then contact your local council about their recycling procedures. That should help you clarify your next steps in the future.
4. Lavazza
Lavazza aluminium-cased coffee capsules are recyclable. The company has a program with TerraCycle that allows you to recycle your used pods for free. In their bid to be more eco-friendly, Lavazza has also launched coffee pods with materials other than aluminium that are compostable in 6 months.
5. Nescafe
Like Lavazza and other pod capsule manufacturers, Nescafe also has a program with TerraCycle to recycle pods purchased from them. You only need to sign up for the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto recycling program online to get started.
Once signed up, collect your used capsules in a bag and keep them in a collection box. From here, print a prepaid shipping label online, tape it to the box, and then drop it at your local post office.
6. Expressi ALDI
Expressi Aldi capsules are recyclable. However, the company no longer offers its recycling program. Users must find new local alternatives to recycling their coffee pods. If you have a local aluminium recycling point, consider discussing your recycling needs with them.
Are Coffee Pods Bad for the Environment?
Single-serve coffee pods are convenient and fairly affordable. But these small single-serve coffee pods create a huge environmental problem. Many brands use aluminium and mixed plastics for the packaging of portioned coffee. They also include materials such as a silicon ring and lacquer.
While coffee pods are mostly recyclable, the non-biodegradable belongings of these materials, intensive manufacturing process, and waste left after use mean they are somewhat harmful to our environment, especially when not disposed of properly. But all largely depend on the brand and your coffee habits.
The Way Forward
Many brands now have partnerships and programs to deal with the capsules they manufacture. Nespresso, Moccona, Lavazza, Illy, Campos, and L'OR have recycling programs with TerraCycle to give these hard-to-dispose items a second life. Other brands like Expressi ALDI and Caffitaly rely on local, sustainable programs for recycling.
These initiatives, however, rely on customers returning their used coffee pods. To boost morale, many brands now reward their customers for helping develop the habit of recycling through a point-based system that can be redeemed for cash and other valuables. The alternative to reducing your environmental footprint is through reusable coffee pods. Essentially, reusable coffee pods can be continuously refilled with ground coffee and repeatedly used to minimise waste.
They are generally available in Australia, especially from online retailers. Before purchasing reusable coffee pods, double-check if the pod or capsule is compatible with your pod coffee machine. There is a fair chance that those pods don't fit into the machine.
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