Before you start reading this blog we'd recommend reading our other blog about Podback first. They offer a recycling service for used pods and have details on the local areas where kerbside collection is available. Read the blog here.

Since launching our recyclable aluminium coffee capsules, we've been asked many times exactly how to recycle them, so we've put together a quick step-by-step guide. 

You can also watch our step-by-step video on Instagram.

1. Brew the capsule

Our capsules contain 5.5g of coffee which is ground very precisely to work with a specific brew ratio. That ratio is 1:4.5. This means that the ideal shot weight for our capsules is 25g. At 25g the extraction is perfect, and you hit the “sweet spot” where the coffee tastes its best. If you aren’t getting this, then we suggest re-programming your machine. Don’t worry, it’s super easy.

2. Peel Off the Foil

After waiting for the used coffee capsule to cool a tad, pierce the foil with your nail and peel around in a circular motion to remove the entire piece in one movement. It should come off pretty easily. Don’t worry about removing every bit. It’s all 100% aluminium so will be recycled either way.

3. Compost the Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds are great for the garden. Add them to your compost bin for added nitrogen and improved soil structure or sprinkle them on your plants to deter slugs.

4. Pop the capsule and the foil in your household recycling

Unlike most other brands, our entire capsule is made of a single material. Aluminium. You won’t find a speck of plastic in sight. That means they are fully recyclable and can go in your usual household recycling (yes, even the top lid). You may wish to brush out any residue coffee grounds beforehand.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO RECYCLE CAPSULES?

According to research in The Grocer in 2016, over 30% of Britons own a coffee pod machine. That’s an astonishingly large proportion of the population who are getting their coffee fix from the amazing Nespresso® capsule technology. But despite it brewing a great cup of coffee, can we swallow the impact this volume of pods is having on the environment? Scale alone is surely reason enough to ensure these capsules don’t end up in landfill, let alone the fact that capsules constructed with layers of plastic could take between 150 and 500 years to decompose.

After lots of hard work, late nights and tens of millions of pounds worth of R&D (not by us of course), we have created the first 100% aluminium, 100% recyclable capsules available in a UK supermarket. This 100% aluminium construction means that customers can continue to experience great-tasting coffee from the ultra-convenient, consistent and clever Nespresso® technology, without contributing to millions of tonnes of landfill.

Recycling aluminium requires 95% less energy and produces 95% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing the raw primary material. Amazingly, since aluminium was first produced in the 1880s, 75% of all aluminium ever created is still in use today. The global aluminium recycling industry prevents close to 170 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere every year, so aluminium is a great solution to balance the demand of a growing economy whilst preserving the environment.

We’ve found the solution to the problem with aluminium. Now it’s over to the you to carry out the above small tasks to ensure 100% of your capsule gets recycled. We think you’ll agree that it’s worth the small effort.

THE ROASTWORKS NESPRESSO RANGE

The Roastworks range of 100% recyclable and 100% aluminium Nespresso compatible capsules include the juicy blackcurrant-fest that is Kenya Kigutha Nespresso Capsules, the Sumatra Takengon Nespresso Capsules with notes of cocoa nib, lemongrass and leather, our sweet and balanced The Espresso Nespresso Capsules with notes of milk chocolate, peanut butter and a touch of red fruit. Finally, our new Colombia Decaf Nespresso Capsules with notes of dark chocolate, marzipan and dried fruit notes. Available in packs of 10 or 60.