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SUSTAINABILITY GUIDE
What does Nespresso do and what can you do for environmental protection?
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Climate Change -
Greenhouse Effect -
Carbon Footprint -
Regenerative Agriculture -
Reforestation -
Waste Reduction -
Recycling -
Food Waste
Climate Change
Climate change refers to the long-term, global-scale changes in climate patterns, which is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
It is crucial to slow down or halt this warming trend.
At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, 195 participating countries adopted the Paris Agreement. The agreement sets a goal to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and continuously reduce emissions beyond 2025. These measures are aimed at significantly reducing the risks and impacts of climate change.
What does Nespresso do?
Between 2014 and 2021, as part of the comprehensive sustainability strategy called "The Positive Cup," Nespresso invested 720 million Swiss francs to make its operations increasingly sustainable. This includes measures ranging from sourcing sustainable coffee to reducing carbon emissions and recycling capsules through necessary technological advancements.
Since 2017, our company's business activities have been carbon neutral, and our goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by no later than 2035*. This means reducing our emissions to net zero throughout our entire value chain, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing processes, packaging, and delivery to consumers, without relying on offsetting. To achieve this, we aim to reduce our emissions by 20% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030. In 2022, we took a step closer to this goal by achieving carbon neutrality across the entire lifecycle of our products. Achieving net-zero emissions requires significant effort, especially as the company continues to grow. We are currently focused on significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions in all areas of our operations.
*We support the scientifically determined net-zero target accepted by Nestlé for 2050 and are exploring ways to achieve this goal in line with the scientific targets as early as 2035.
You can also make a significant contribution to combating climate change by...
...paying attention to only consume and purchase as much as you truly need.
...walking or cycling more, or choosing modes of transportation that consume less energy and fuel compared to driving alone in a car.
...being conscious of your own energy consumption.
...upgrading your household with energy-efficient solutions. Installing new windows and doors can improve insulation, and utilizing renewable energy sources can help protect the planet from excessive carbon dioxide emissions.
...being mindful to minimize food waste.
...choosing products from companies that prioritize taking action against climate change and its impacts. For example, companies that use responsibly sourced materials or offer energy-efficient household appliances.
Greenhouse Effect
The quantity of greenhouse gases (commonly referred to as GHGs), such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, or ozone, significantly influences the balance of our planet's climate system.
Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities such as the establishment of factories, the invention of coal-fired steam engines, mechanization, and more have significantly increased the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere. This has led to excessive global warming, endangering Earth's biodiversity. One of the main greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide, with a significant portion of its emissions coming from the burning of fossil fuels, but deforestation also contributes significantly.
What does Nespresso do?
Since 2009, Nespresso has reduced the carbon footprint per cup of coffee by 24%. By partnering with organizations like Pur Projet, Nespresso has planted 6 million trees on coffee farms by the end of 2021.
In our Swiss factories, we use 100% renewable electricity.
*We support the scientifically determined net-zero target accepted by Nestlé for 2050 and are exploring ways to achieve this goal in line with the scientific targets as early as 2035.
You can make a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by...
...being mindful of your own energy consumption (for example, using air conditioning and heating devices reasonably).
...reconsidering what you truly need and purchasing only the amount of food that you will actually consume.
...trying to consume more vegetables and fruits (preferably locally sourced) alongside or instead of meat dishes. Surprisingly, industrial livestock farming is one of the activities with the highest greenhouse gas emissions.
....choosing products or services from companies that transparently communicate their efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint, as defined by Eurostat, is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by the final consumption of products. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases, directly contributing to climate change and global warming.
For example, the carbon footprint of a cup of Nespresso coffee represents the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions it generates throughout its lifecycle, including the production of green coffee, the manufacturing of the coffee machine, and the washing of the coffee cup. By understanding and reducing these emissions, we can contribute to mitigating the environmental impact and working towards a more sustainable future.
What does Nespresso do to reduce its carbon footprint?
We reduce our carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire supply chain, from coffee farms to product development, manufacturing, logistics, and boutiques.
On coffee farms, we support producers in implementing soil regeneration practices such as reforestation, organic fertilization, and soil covering.
Through partnerships with organizations like Pur Projet, we have planted 6 million trees on coffee farms by the end of 2021.
Our Swiss factories operate on 100% renewable energy.
We are increasingly using recycled and recyclable materials for our products and packaging.
You can also contribute to reducing your personal carbon footprint by
...using as many renewable energy sources as possible, opting for energy-efficient household appliances, and using LED bulbs in your home.
...reducing the use of your private car and opting for public transportation, carpooling, or cycling as much as possible.
...minimizing air travel as much as possible.
...minimizing waste generation as much as possible.
...consuming fewer food items that have high energy, fuel, or water requirements in their production, such as beef or exotic fruits.
Regenerative Agriculture
The foundation of agriculture lies in good-quality soil that has high organic matter content and a good soil structure. The aim of soil regenerative farming is to improve the overall condition of the soil.
This nature-based approach not only reduces emissions and sequesters carbon in the global agricultural and food industry but also makes farmland more resilient to the impacts of climate change. With better-quality and structured soil, water usage, biodiversity, and integration with livestock can be improved. Through soil regenerative practices, productivity and income can increase, making farming communities more resilient.
Minimizing soil disturbance, implementing continuous and adequate soil cover, and establishing diverse crop rotations are key steps in farming on soil rich in organic matter and live roots. The long-term benefits include producing the same or even greater quantity of higher-quality and nutrient-rich crops with reduced energy consumption and optimized use of pesticides and fertilizers.
What does Nespresso do?
The preservation and future assurance of high-quality coffee have been central to Nespresso's strategy for the past 20 years. The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, established in 2003 in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance, aims to enhance crop quantity and quality while protecting the environment and improving the livelihoods of coffee producers and their communities.
We work closely with coffee farmers worldwide, supporting them in transitioning to regenerative farming practices. This is crucial as it makes coffee-growing regions more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ensuring the long-term sustainability of coffee production.
You can make a significant impact on the health of the soil by...
...composting. Nearly 30 percent of household waste is green waste, which can be valuable nutrients for the environment. You can return these nutrients to the soil by composting. In your own garden, you can set up a fenced, well-ventilated corner for composting. In urban areas, you can utilize nearby community gardens or use convenient composting bins in your household to compost these materials and return them to the soil.
...supporting sustainable farms. You can source vegetables and fruits from a nearby farmers' market. Not only is it a great initiative, but it also supports smaller farmers and businesses.
Reforestation
During reforestation, new young forests are created using seedlings and seeds in areas where there were no trees at all or where they were previously cleared for various reasons.
This practice plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, as forests not only sequester carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen but also provide habitat for over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. There are over 60,000 identified species of trees. On average, a medium-sized deciduous tree provides oxygen for 10 people annually.
What is agroforestry? Its essence lies in the fact that trees are not only present as forest components but also support agricultural production. Why is this important? By planting trees, we can protect not only the air quality and diverse ecosystems of the planet but also the condition of the soil, promoting its long-term fertility. Fruit trees planted on farms participating in the Nespresso AAA Program bring numerous benefits. For example, they provide habitat for endangered bird species and bees. Let's take the example of an orange tree: it provides shade for the coffee shrub, which slows its growth and results in higher-quality yields. The fallen fruit enriches the soil, and natural pesticides can be derived from the fruit. Additionally, the harvest can serve as an extra source of income or food for coffee farmers.
What does Nespresso do for reforestation?
We have partnered with organizations like Pur Projet to plant 6 million trees on coffee farms and their surrounding areas by the end of 2021. Additionally, in 2021, we provided assistance in the conservation of over 10 million trees in the Amazon rainforest.
Within the framework of the AAA Sustainable Quality Program, tree planting is tailored to the specific needs of each community, aiming to bring targeted environmental and socio-economic benefits. These benefits include carbon sequestration, improved soil fertility, reduced soil erosion, water replenishment, creation of habitats for certain animal species, or serving as a source of income through the production of fruits, for example. Agroforestry not only helps coffee farms adapt to climate change but also improves the livelihoods of farmers.
What can I do to protect the forests?
When making purchases, prioritize companies and brands that take action to radically reduce their own carbon emissions!
When making your choices, prioritize brands, products, and services that advocate for reforestation or take action against deforestation in some form!
Strive to conserve or even expand the wooded and forested areas in your immediate surroundings!
Support civil society organizations that actively contribute to the protection of forests and trees!
You can also contribute to less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere through environmentally conscious transportation!
Talk with your family or friends so that as many people as possible can get a clear picture of the importance of change and nature conservation.
Waste Reduction
Waste is generated as a result of human activities, so reducing it is primarily our responsibility.
Reducing waste is one of the most effective ways to promote conscious consumption, which means striving to avoid creating unnecessary waste in our shopping and lifestyle choices.
It starts with responsible consumer decisions: only buying what we truly need and purchasing from brands that actively work towards making their operations more sustainable. Instead of discarding broken items, consider repairing them or finding new purposes for them. Disposable, single-use items should be replaced with reusable or recyclable alternatives.
By practicing selective waste sorting for packaging materials used in our households and composting organic waste generated in the kitchen, we can further reduce the amount of waste we produce.
What does Nespresso do?
We focus on the principle of circularity in the design of our capsules, accessories, coffee machines, and packaging, aiming to incorporate more recycled materials and make them recyclable.
Every aluminum capsule returned to Nespresso is recycled. During the processing, the aluminum and coffee grounds are separated and recycled separately. The aluminum can be transformed into a wide range of products, while the used coffee grounds in the capsules are composted and repurposed.
Our capsules are made with 80% recycled aluminum, significantly reducing the energy required for their production compared to using new aluminum.
The components of our Vertuo Next coffee machine are made with 50% recycled plastic, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.
You can generate much less waste if...
...you go shopping with your own canvas bag instead of using single-use plastic bags.
...you don't put every vegetable and fruit in a bag while shopping.
...you buy only as much food or clothing as you truly need.
...you compost. There are both urban and rural alternatives for composting, such as a designated corner in the garden or a vermicompost that can be used indoors. These methods can significantly contribute to reducing household waste.
Recycling
During selective waste collection, we sort waste from packaging materials and consumer or household items used in our household by their material and collect them in separate bins.
It is important that selectively collected packaging and other waste are cleaned and rinsed before being placed in the bins.
The different colors of the recycling bins indicate which type of waste should be collected in each container.
Paper goes in the blue bin, metal and plastic waste in the yellow bin, colored glass in the green bin found at recycling points, and white glass in the white bin.
What does Nespresso do?
We focus on the principle of circularity in the design of our capsules, accessories, coffee machines, and packaging, aiming to incorporate more recycled and recyclable materials.
Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum, which provides perfect protection for the coffee from air, moisture, and light, ensuring that the high-quality roasted and ground coffee remains fresh until the moment of preparation. Additionally, aluminum has the important advantage of being infinitely recyclable.
Nespresso has established a global capsule collection system for the recycling of capsules, which is now available in 70 countries.
Every part of our coffee capsules is recyclable and can be selectively collected. We provide free collection bags for this purpose, which can be returned to our Boutiques or through our courier service.
Every aluminum capsule returned to Nespresso is recycled. The collected capsules are sent to our processing partner in Debrecen. During the processing, the aluminum and coffee grounds are separated and recycled separately. The aluminum can be transformed into a wide range of products, while the used coffee grounds in the capsules are composted and repurposed.
Our capsules are made with 80% recycled aluminum, significantly reducing the energy required for their production compared to using new aluminum.
You can also effectively collect waste selectively if...
...you put cardboard boxes, newspapers, and paper packaging in the blue-lidded paper waste bin. This can include the paper packaging from online orders, paper bags, grease-free wrapping papers, paper towel rolls, or for example, the boxes of Nespresso capsules.
...you place plastic bottles, containers, clean plastic films, bags, metal drink and canned food containers, and beverage cartons (such as milk and juice cartons) in the yellow-lidded bin.
...you rinse sour cream or yogurt cups and beverage cartons before placing them in the recycling bin.
...you flatten cardboard boxes and plastic bottles before disposal to fit more into the container and facilitate easier transportation.
...you collect jam jars or wine bottles and take them to the nearest recycling point.
...you also collect used capsules separately and return them via courier service or drop them off at a Nespresso Boutique.
Special types of waste include:
organic waste, hazardous waste
These can be grouped into various types. Understanding the different types of waste can make it easier to place the waste generated in our household in a more environmentally friendly and greener manner. Municipal or household waste contains both organic (living organism-related) and inorganic waste.
Some organic wastes (vegetable scraps, eggshells) can be composted to keep them in circulation, while paper, metal, plastic, and glass waste can be reused through selective collection. Special types of waste requiring specific handling include hazardous and electronic waste, which may contain harmful substances in larger quantities harmful to the environment and living organisms. Therefore, their separate collection and proper recycling are of utmost importance.
What does Nespresso do?
We recycle all aluminum coffee capsules returned to us.
During the processing of the capsules, aluminum and coffee grounds are separated; the aluminum can be reborn in various useful forms, while the coffee grounds are reused through composting.
You can also correctly collect waste if...
...you don't pour used cooking oil down the drain, but instead, you dispose of it at designated collection points (such as certain gas stations or supermarket chains).
...you compost.
...you dispose of electronic waste, used batteries at yards, or commercial units (such as electronics stores) where they can safely process them with appropriate procedures.
...you dispose of expired medications at pharmacies.
...you collect waste selectively. This contributes to enabling more waste from human activities to be recycled. This is particularly important because products made from recycled materials have a lower environmental impact during manufacturing.
Food Waste
Food waste refers to the disposal of any food that could have been prevented from becoming waste with a little attention.
Food waste has a significant environmental impact as the production, transportation, and disposal of food products require a great amount of energy, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate global warming.
Food waste refers to any raw or cooked food that is discarded before, during, or after preparation. There are three types of food waste: avoidable food waste, which includes spoiled or unnecessarily purchased food; potentially avoidable food waste, such as apple peels, chicken skin, and inedible parts of food; and unavoidable food waste, such as bones. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally each year, along with all the resources (energy, water) that were used in its production. In Hungary, around 1.8 million tons of food waste is generated annually, a significant portion of which could be avoided.
Reducing food waste is crucial in minimizing its environmental impact. By being mindful of our consumption habits, planning meals, properly storing food, and utilizing leftovers, we can contribute to reducing food waste and conserving valuable resources. Additionally, supporting initiatives that focus on food recovery, redistribution, and composting can also help address the issue of food waste.
What does Nespresso do?
The Nespresso capsule system uses precise amounts of ground coffee, water, and energy to prepare a cup of coffee, optimizing coffee, water, and energy usage and preventing resource wastage.
During the recycling of used coffee capsules, the coffee grounds extracted from the capsules are reused through composting.
You can also make a significant impact in reducing food waste by...
...make a shopping list before going to the store. Plan what meals you want to prepare, thereby avoiding unnecessary food accumulation in your household. And if you don't shop on an empty stomach, you can easily avoid impulse purchases.
...shop consciously. It's worth planning ahead in every situation. Before a trip, it's not advisable to do a large grocery shopping or accumulate food just because it's cheaper. Conscious shopping is always based on carefully considered consumer decisions.
... pays attention to the expiration dates and shelf life of products, and always consumes or uses products with shorter shelf life first.
...freeze food items. By freezing perishable foods, you can prevent unnecessary food waste and save time on cooking later.
...before throwing away, consider how the food can still be used. A few days old vegetables or fruits may not be appealing to eat as they are, but they can be saved from unnecessary waste by using them in cakes, smoothies, or jams.
