BECAUSE EVERY CUP COUNTS.

JOIN OUR RECYCLING MISSION

Your used capsules contain valuable raw materials. Aluminum can be recycled again and again* and find a second life in a variety of new objects. Coffee grounds contain valuable nutrients; for example, they can be used as plant substrate as fertilizer for plants or as biogas to generate renewable energy.

*Despite melting losses, the metal's properties remain unchanged and it can be recycled repeatedly.
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ENJOYING COFFEE SUSTAINABLY



For Nespresso, sustainability and coffee enjoyment are inextricably linked. Therefore, Nespresso continuously strives to make coffee production more resource-efficient as part of a holistic sustainability program. Through its specially created AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, Nespresso has been working since 2003 to make coffee production as sustainable as possible – from its environmental impact to the living conditions of coffee farmers, who are supported through incentives and insurance programs, among other things. To sustainably secure the future of high-quality coffee and preserve ecosystems in the long term, Nespresso relies on regenerative agriculture. This ensures better soil health through, for example, mulching and composting.

Since the first analysis of the life cycle of a cup of coffee in 2005, Nespresso has been working consistently to reduce CO2 emissions and is resolutely continuing on this path: Nespresso reduced 286,000 tons of CO2 eq emissions in 2024.* By 2050, Nespresso has set itself the goal of becoming a Net Zero company across its entire supply chain and product life cycle, in line with SBTi standards.** The short- and long-term targets were released in May 2024.

*CO2-eq compared to our business-as-usual calculations. Greenhouse gas emission reductions according to the SBTi scope were calculated at 188,000 t CO2-eq in November 2024. Due to changes in methodology and a new basis for green coffee supply, the final value for 2024 was corrected to 286,000 t CO2-eq.
**https://nestle-nespresso.com/nespresso-achieves-important-milestone-climate-commitment.


Read more about our progress and goals for a more sustainable future: Current Sustainability Report

NESPRESSO IS PROUD TO BE A B CORP

As a milestone and validation of its more than 30-year commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible business, Nespresso achieved B Corp™ certification in 2022. This certification applies to Nespresso's global business and spans 38 markets.

As a certified "Benefit Corporation," Nespresso is part of a global movement of companies in over 150 industries and more than 70 countries committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. As a certified B Corp, we work tirelessly to minimize our impact on the climate—from protecting sensitive ecosystems to optimizing the transportation of our products.
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CARE: OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE
For over 30 years, Nespresso's overarching goal has been to create shared value for all. We call this "Care" - because with the same dedication and passion that goes into every cup of Nespresso coffee, we are committed as a company to making a positive impact on the world: for the environment, circularity, climate and communities.

Nespresso has developed a variety of initiatives at the global and local level, including the AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program or Sustainability Advisory Board. In addition, Nespresso employees in Austria can actively engage in the "Force for Good Day" one day per year in projects in cooperation with partners such as Caritas or Biosphärenpark Wien.

RECYCLING

For over 30 years, we have relied on a circular economy model that aims to reduce consumption and extend the life of materials. As a B Corp, we maintain this goal and are now pursuing it with even greater urgency. Aluminum, a valuable material, can be recycled almost infinitely.* With the ambitious goal of returning every used Nespresso capsule to the recycling cycle, Nespresso launched its own voluntary recycling system in Austria in 2009, which now includes over 2,100 collection points. Thus, every capsule is part of a perfectly designed system that makes returning used capsules as easy as possible. Today, the recycling rate in Austria, i.e. the number of capsules collected by consumers and returned to a Nespresso collection point, is 38 percent.

*Despite the melting loss, the metal properties remain unchanged and it can be recycled repeatedly.
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During recycling, coffee grounds are separated from the aluminum, as the collected capsules contain valuable raw materials. Aluminum can be used for new products—such as bicycles or pens. Coffee grounds have a wide range of applications: thanks to their valuable nutrients, they can be used as plant fertilizer, as a biodegradable oil absorbent in road traffic, or as a material for furniture manufacturing. The coffee grounds can also be processed into biogas, thus providing renewable energy.
As part of a pilot project with the Austrian Coffee and Tea Association and Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA), it is now possible in Upper Austria, Krems Land, and Schwechat to collect coffee capsules of all materials and brands together and recycle them at waste collection centers and all Upper Austrian BILLA Plus stores.
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PREPARATION

The Nespresso system uses valuable resources with care.

Each Nespresso capsule contains exactly the amount of coffee needed for one cup. When preparing coffee with other systems, such as fully automatic or filter coffee machines, more ground coffee is often used than necessary, or more coffee is prepared than consumed. The amount of coffee consumed is relevant because the greatest environmental impact of a cup of coffee – regardless of the preparation system – occurs during the preparation of the green coffee, from the cultivation of the green coffee to its transport to the production centers. Modern Nespresso machines also optimize energy consumption (through an automatic shut-off function) and water consumption.

Through the perfect interaction between capsule and machine, the portioned system helps reduce the environmental impact of a cup of coffee.*

*Quantis comparative LCA: Life Cycle Assessment of a Lungo cup of coffee made from a Nespresso ORIGINAL capsule compared with other coffee systems in Europe.

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Infografik
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF A CUP OF COFFEE


A look at the entire product lifecycle helps to better understand – and further reduce – the carbon footprint of a cup of coffee.

That’s because the main drivers aren’t always where you expect them. Most of the carbon emitted by a cup of Nespresso coffee is generated during the preparation of the green coffee.

In addition, a cup of coffee prepared with the Nespresso system has a 24 % lower carbon footprint than a cup prepared with a fully automatic coffee machine, as confirmed by the life cycle analysis conducted by Quantis in Europe in 2024.*

*Quantis comparative LCA: Life Cycle Assessment of a Lungo cup of coffee made from a Nespresso ORIGINAL capsule compared with other coffee systems in Europe.

PACKAGING

Aluminum capsules optimally protect coffee from light, oxygen, and moisture. If roasted coffee is not stored properly, its aromas begin to evaporate within just a few days. As an aroma vault, each Nespresso capsule ensures the taste and shelf life of fresh coffee – and thus helps prevent coffee waste. This is so important because about half of the CO2 emissions from a cup of coffee are generated during coffee cultivation. A cup of coffee prepared with the Nespresso system has a 24% lower CO2 footprint than one prepared with a fully automatic coffee machine, as confirmed by the life cycle analysis conducted by Quantis in Europe in 2024.*

*Quantis comparative LCA: Life Cycle Assessment of a Lungo cup of coffee made from a Nespresso ORIGINAL capsule compared with other coffee systems in Europe.

Nespresso Vertuo Kapsel Mexiko Icon Sun LIGHT
Nespresso Vertuo Kapsel Mexiko mit Wolken Icon Air OXYGEN
Nespresso Vertuo Kapsel Mexiko mit Wassertropfen Icon Regentropfen HUMIDITY
In the production of its capsules, Nespresso increasingly relies on recycled aluminum. All capsules for the ORIGINAL system and most capsules for the VERTUO system are made with at least 80% recycled aluminum.* This means that Nespresso uses resources carefully, as processing recycled aluminum requires 95% less energy than producing new aluminum.** Aluminum can be recycled almost infinitely*** – and 75% of all the aluminum ever produced is still in use.**** To keep the aluminum from used capsules in the recycling cycle for as long as possible, Nespresso launched its own recycling system more than 15 years ago.

*At least 80% of the used aluminium was recycled.
**International Aluminium Institute: https://international-aluminium.org/landing/aluminium-recycling-saves-95-of-the-energy-needed-for-primary-aluminium-production/
***Despite the melt loss, the metal properties remain unchanged and it can be recycled repeatedly.
****International Aluminium Institute: https://international-aluminium.org/landing/75-of-all-aluminium-ever-produced-is-still-in-use-today/
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Kapseln mindestens 80 % recyceltem Aluminium

TRANSPORT

When it comes to transport and distribution, Nespresso is increasingly relying on environmentally friendly solutions. The coffee is transported by rail from the port to the production centres and then to Austria, delivered to the boutiques in Vienna and surrounding areas by electric truck, and orders are shipped carbon-neutrally by the Austrian postal service. The goal is to keep the coffee’s environmental footprint as small as possible on the way to the customers.
Sustainability is also a high priority at the Nespresso boutiques. They get 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources and the lighting is almost exclusively LED..
* Österreichische Post: https://www.post.at/ir/c/co2-neutral-kompensation-klimaschutzprojekte
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THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRIAN POSTAL SERVICE, NESPRESSO ORDERS ARE DELIVERED BY CARBON-NEUTRAL TRANSPORT:

REGENERATIVE
AGRICULTURE

Nespresso's high standards not only ensure the highest coffee quality. Back in 2003, Nespresso launched the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program in cooperation with the NGO The Rainforest Alliance and works with over 168,000 coffee farmers in 18 countries to sustainably improve local farming methods and living conditions.

To preserve biodiversity and natural resources in the long term, farmers in the AAA program are supported in introducing sustainable coffee cultivation practices and converting their farms to regenerative agriculture – with the goal of not only preserving agricultural land and ecosystems, but even restoring them with the power of nature.

For example, they are supported in establishing sophisticated agroforestry systems and cultivating other crops, such as fruit and shade trees. The interplay of different plants improves the microclimate and protects the soil from erosion. The cultivated areas therefore produce higher yields than monocultures. In addition, farmers can use secondary products such as fruit and timber for their own consumption or generate additional income by selling them.

In this way, regenerative agriculture not only addresses the challenges of climate change but also strengthens the resilience of coffee communities.
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For the future of our farmers

Through the AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, Nespresso builds long-term relationships with farmers and purchases coffee from the same farms year after year, at a price that is 98% equal to or even higher than the Fairtrade Minimum Price.*

To strengthen coffee communities, Nespresso makes extensive investments in local infrastructure, including facilities like wet mills that make coffee processing more efficient, enable higher coffee quality, and thus ensure higher incomes for farmers.

To secure the future of farmers, Nespresso is developing and initiating pension savings plans with partners in Colombia, for example. Nespresso has also developed an insurance program there as part of a flagship initiative with Blue Marble Microinsurance to protect farmers from extreme weather and the associated crop failures.
Nespresso's commitment also includes gender equality – women play a key role in coffee production but still have limited access to necessary resources such as land, credit, and information. Together with its partner TechnoServe, Nespresso offers local training to women to become agronomists and supports them in taking on leadership roles in coffee cooperatives. Around a third of agronomists in coffee regions are already women (2021).

In this way, Nespresso is driving sustainable development in coffee-growing regions and also creating social impact.

* A study conducted by FLOCERT in 2023 showed that 98% of the green coffee purchased by Nespresso met the Fairtrade Minimum Price (excluding the Fairtrade Premium) applicable in 2022.
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Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program seit 2003

* Decrease compared to the previous year due to supply chain disruptions, inventory build-up and availability issues for certain coffee varieties.