By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

May 05, 2016 02:41:23 AM

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): Nespresso-the world leader in coffee machines and single-serve coffee pods has announced that it has extended its recycling partnership with UPS. The partnership, which was earlier in place in 20 US states has now been expanded into 48 states, it said. The expansion is part of Nespresso’s efforts to make recycling of single-serve coffee cups as convenient as possible to its US customers.

Second life to used capsules

In order to recycle Nespresso coffe pods, consumers in 48 states could simply order a UPS pre-paid bag from Nespresso, either by calling 1-866-212-8481 or by placing order online. Each bag has a capacity to hold about 200 traditional capsules or 100 Vertuo capsules or 400 B2B capsules. The bags filled with Nespresso used capsules can be brought for recycling, to any of the 88,000 UPS drop off locations spread across the country. The recycling bags are accepted free-of-charge by UPS drivers, Drop Boxes, Customer Centers, Depots and Shipping Outlets.

Sustainable partnership

Guillaume Le Cunff, President of Nespresso USA and member of the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board promised to make more investments towards making used pods easily recyclable for consumers. The recent expansion of its collaboration with UPS is viewed as a major step forward, he added. UPS expressed happiness in bringing capsule recycling to the entire continental US, in partnership with Nespresso. Arnold Barlow, UPS Senior Manager for Sustainability Solutions noted that the expansion of the partnership would help businesses to operate more sustainably.

More recycling options

Apart from UPS, US consumers have more options to recycle used Nespresso coffee pods. They can drop them off at any of the Nespresso Boutiques. Also, they could take the materials to any of the drop-off locations provided by retail partners such as Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma etc.,

Ag Choice-the recycling partner

The collected capsules are received by Ag Choice, where aluminum is separated from residual coffee grounds by using a packaging separation machine. Whole capsules are fed into the machine and passed through an agitator. The paddles open the capsules and knock the coffee grounds out of the capsules. The separated aluminum is collected and sent to an aluminum recycling facility, where they are melted down, purified and molded to be used in new aluminum products. Ag Choice uses the spent coffee grounds to produce high quality compost and topsoil.

About UPS

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a provider of supply chain management solutions. It delivers more than 15 million packages a day to more than 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the world.

About Nespresso

Nestlé Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned coffee. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 64 countries and has more than 12,000 employees. In 2015, it operated a global retail network of over 450 exclusive boutiques.