Everything you need to know about recycling coffee capsules
WARNING! The recycling directory is for aluminium coffee capsules and pods only. Plastic coffee capsules and pods cannot be recycled at these locations.
Recycling Coffee Capsules includes:
Metallic coffee capsules
Nespresso coffee capsules
Nestle coffee capsules
Nescafe coffee capsules
Aluminium coffee capsules
Coffee pods
Which bin does it go in?
Learn more about recycling coffee capsules and pods
How to recycle coffee capsules
Can they go in the recycling bin at home?
No, coffee capsules and pods (both plastic and aluminium) should never be put in your recycling bin at home. They can only be recycled through specialised recycling programs.
Due to their small size, coffee capsules and pods that are incorrectly put in recycling bins will fall through the cracks at recycling centres. Coffee pods also cause contamination in the recycling stream and may prevent other items from being recycled.
Recycling aluminium coffee capsules
The Nespresso coffee capsule recycling program accepts all brands of aluminium coffee capsules. There are three ways to recycle aluminium capsules:
- Drop off your used capsules to your nearest Nespresso store, or participating florist or garden centre; use the search bar above to find a location near you
- Purchase an Australia Post satchel and return it through the mail once it's full ($5 per bag)
- Use ;bulk recycling box to collect capsules on behalf of your workplace or community
Recycling plastic coffee capsules
Do not put plastic coffee pods in your recycling bin at home. If you use 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.
Why recycle?
Coffee capsules currently cannot be recycled via kerbside recycling services (i.e. your household recycling bin). There are, however, some recycling programs for used coffee capsules and pods. Recycling via these programs 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.
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Image credit: Nespresso
