Nespresso home compostable capsules

Source: Nespresso

The pods will be piloted in France and Switzerland from spring 2023

Nespresso has launched a paper-based home compostable coffee pod.

The pod, which was the result of three years of development, was created using “unique high precision technology” that enabled the conversion of wood fibres “into very complex shapes”.

It is compatible with original Nespresso machines and features a biopolymer lining inside the capsule which protects the coffee against oxidisation.

The pod, which was made in partnership with Huhtamaki – which supplies food packaging to Unilever and McDonald’s – will be piloted in France and Switzerland from spring 2023.

According to Nespresso CEO Guillaume Le Cunff, the business was ”more committed than ever to widening the sustainable choices we offer our consumers” since it became a B Corp earlier this year.

“We are excited to announce our first ever paper-based home compostable capsule, which will complement our offering of aluminium capsules that are both recyclable and made using 80% recycled aluminium. This is about yet another sustainable choice, without compromising on quality.”

Huhtamaki president of fibre and foodservice Eric Le Lay said the pod was the “most complex” form of fibre packaging it had ever produced.

“We’re super excited and extremely proud because it’s been several years of development,” he said. “It’s the most complex piece of packaging that we’ve produced in fibre.”

Le Lay added that the innovation would lead to the development of sustainable packaging solutions in other categories. 

It forms part of Huhtamaki’s commitment to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all of its products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.

Nespresso owner Nestlé unveiled its first ever paper-based compostable coffee pod just weeks ago, when it debuted its “next generation” coffee machine: Neo, under the Dolce Gusto brand.

Billed as a “coffee shop at home”, the new Neo system tailors its brewing method to different recipes and preferences.

In the UK, Nestlé runs a Podback recycling scheme for its Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Nespresso pods, which are not accepted in standard kerbside recycling.

The scheme enables shoppers to post back their pods for recycling and offers kerbside collection in seven English councils.