Did you know that we recycled almost 3.5 billion coffee capsules in Germany in 2018? What makes us one of the leading coffee-producing nations also has a major impact on our environment—especially as long as we rely on aluminum coffee capsules.

This quantity of capsules requires approximately 35 tons of aluminum to be produced. This consumes half the energy required annually by the entire Bavarian city of Passau, with a population of 53,000. Aluminum capsules from various manufacturers therefore leave a long film of dirt behind them and, as you might guess, pollute the ecosystem.

Therefore, we'll take a closer look at whether and under what circumstances coffee capsules are environmentally friendly. We'll examine how harmful aluminum products are to humans and the environment, and what the recycling process looks like in this area. Finally, we'll take a look at sensible alternatives to aluminum capsules from Nespresso®* and others.

Why are aluminum capsules problematic for the environment?

The successful introduction of coffee capsules into German households was followed shortly by the first critical voices. Aluminum capsules not only generate additional mountains of waste, but also leave a huge ecological footprint through the production of this lightweight metal. This is due to the high energy consumption and the additional waste products created during production, such as the toxic byproduct red mud.

The dark side of aluminum production

Aluminum is an extremely useful metal, abundant in the Earth's crust. Due to its low density and high durability, it is increasingly used in automotive and aerospace engineering. Its ability to conduct both heat and electricity well allows this lightweight metal to be used in numerous other areas with significant added value.

The longer the product's lifespan, the more beneficial it is. In the automotive industry, it's therefore a good idea to use aluminum if the vehicle is on the road for an average of 15 years and then recycled. However, using this lightweight metal as a one-time packaging material is literally a mortal ecological sin. This begins with the mining of the required raw material, bauxite.

Environmental pollution from the production of aluminum and the mining of bauxite

Even the mining of bauxite produces a toxic byproduct commonly known as "red mud." This contains caustic soda and various toxic heavy metals that can enter the environment or groundwater. They are responsible for sometimes drastic environmental damage and the extinction of plant and animal species and can destroy drinking water sources for generations.

Another major criticism of the use of aluminum lies in the manufacturing process itself, particularly the energy required. The production of one ton of aluminum requires almost 15,700 kWh. To reduce the enormous electricity consumption, mining is preferably carried out in regions with low electricity costs.

China, Russia, and India are leading nations in the production of this light metal. These are countries whose energy is generated from non-renewable sources, which makes the end product anything but sustainable in several respects.

Degradability and disposal of coffee capsules

At the end of the consumer chain, after the coffee capsule has been used, comes its disposal. Here, too, we shouldn't lose sight of what actually happens after the metal is consumed.

What's used up must also be disposed of. If coffee is consumed from aluminum capsules, the capsules should ideally be collected separately and recycled. Unfortunately, a large proportion of these capsules end up in general waste, where they are not recycled but incinerated. Due to the complex manufacturing process, they are lost as a valuable resource.

However, if the capsules end up in nature, in one of our valuable oceans or in the countryside, the next major disadvantage of the aluminum solution immediately becomes apparent – ​​its degradability.

With an average decomposition time of about 200 years, the natural decomposition rate is beyond ecologically reasonable limits. Only the plastic alternative performs worse, with a composting time of 500 years.

And unfortunately, we are not yet at the end of the aluminum criticism, because the light metal can not only become a problem for the environment, but also risks for the human body cannot be ruled out.

Is aluminum harmful to health?

Researchers warn that aluminum is not only harmful to the environment but also to humans.

Another point of criticism regarding the metal relates to its potential health risks. Studies on aluminum toxicity have not yet confirmed a direct effect. However, researchers warn that the long-term consequences of daily intake of even the smallest amounts of aluminum are impossible to estimate.

Consumers are encouraged to be more conscious about their use of aluminum. This lightweight metal is found not only in Nespresso®* capsules, but also in cosmetics, various packaging, and food products themselves. Consciously avoiding products containing aluminum can, in the best case, minimize health risks.

Aluminum is suspected of accumulating in minute amounts in the lungs and skeletal system, where it can cause damage to the nervous system or kidneys. The health and environmental risks are therefore ultimately too high to associate a stimulant like our beloved coffee with it.

Is recycling aluminum sufficient or do we really need sensible alternatives?

Back to aluminum and its impact on the environment, we know that the recycling efficiency of aluminum is generally very high. This means that out of 100 percent of the material, 95 percent of the aluminum can be recovered through recycling—which is generally considered very efficient.

Unfortunately, the resulting light metal is not suitable for use as coffee capsules. Therefore, when considering capsules from an ecological perspective, it must always be considered that aluminum is required for this purpose. Unfortunately, recycled materials cannot be used for our luxury beverage.

You probably love coffee as much as we do and want to continue enjoying your cup, but without losing sight of sustainability. Is that possible? We're convinced it is, because there are now more and more providers with a wide range of coffee products who have declared war on aluminum.

Nespresso®*-compatible capsules made from compostable material are also available as a sensible alternative. Bioplastics are an attractive solution here. With a decomposition time of 6 to 24 months and no residue of aluminum or petroleum products, these coffee capsules are an environmentally friendly alternative without compromising on taste.

Bioplastics offer many advantages

One of the basic principles for sustainable coffee capsules made from bioplastic is that only naturally renewable raw materials are used in production. As a provider of sustainable, compostable coffee capsules , we therefore ensure that bioplastics do not contain any petrochemical components – that is, no residues of chemical products derived from natural gas and suitable fractions of petroleum.

This makes their recycling completely ecologically safe. Because if the bioplastic contains no bound carbon in the form of petroleum, even when burned, it only releases the amount of CO2 that its raw materials absorbed from nature during growth.

Compostable capsules are therefore inherently CO2-neutral. This means that compostable coffee capsules can be disposed of in general waste without causing harm to the environment.

Coffee can also be enjoyed sustainably

Sustainable and delicious: a cup of coffee from a compostable capsule.

Those seeking to combine coffee enjoyment, convenience, and sustainability can now choose from a wide range of coffees in sustainable organic capsules . Fairly traded and with a low ecological footprint, they allow you to enjoy your coffee cup after cup without harming the environment or people.

*Coffee-Up! is a company independent of Nespresso®.

Cover photo by Jisu Han. Additional photos by veeterzy and Alfred Kenneally.

About the editorial team

Hannah Doths is an online editor who enjoys the pleasure of a hot cup of coffee not only while writing. With respect for nature, she wants to make a small contribution to the fight against climate change through her sustainable vegetarian lifestyle.