Ecology and coffee capsules: a file without a filter!

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The French still love coffee as much. But at a time when ecology is at the forefront, we must be vigilant about the consumption of capsules and single-use pods. Back to the market for capsules and alternative solutions.

Despite the awakening of ecological awareness, coffee pod machines and capsules are enjoying great success: pod coffee makers today represent a fleet of 17.1 million devices, present in 54% of French households in 2018, compared to 12.8 million for filter coffee makers (according to GIFAM figures).

According to an article from the site echoes, coffee sales represent 2.9 billion euros in France, half of which would be absorbed by the pod market (1.4 billion).

On the price side, the addition is strong, since Nespresso pods cost on average almost 7 times more expensive than coffee beans at entry level (as we can read in the file below).

If this market is tonic to say the least, this encapsulated black gold is still the subject of many debates: not ecological, non-recyclable, toxic, expensive … In short, the capsule is being talked about more and more!

The big heckled actors

Among the major players in coffee machines with pods, we find Nespresso, Krups or Philips, to name a few … But recently, new manufacturers have come to heckle these egg-laying capsules, for example Boulanger who recently marketed the Miogo Mec machine and which uses its own capsules.

Manufacturers often sell proprietary pods, which can be restrictive for the user. If each manufacturer uses its own capsules, it was the end of Nestlé's patent, in 2016, which enabled all the players in the coffee sector to covet the mass market. And they have not been deprived of it …

In fact, more and more brands and supermarkets are using "compatible" capsules, which are cheaper and more accessible (available in supermarkets): LSA, in 2018, L’Or pulled up the segment of Nespresso compatible capsules, from 200 million euros in 2016 to 400 million euros at the end of 2018.

Recycling, a quick fix?

Obviously, coffee capsules are a real ecological abyss. According to an article by USAinformations, nine billion capsules / pods are sold worldwide each year, representing 400,000 tonnes of aluminum waste – a material very often used to better preserve the aroma. The problem is that the recycling of these capsules is complicated and that only 18 of the 200 sorting centers in France are equipped to recover them.

Some manufacturers are however trying to take the strategic turn of ecology. Nescafé Dolce Gusto decided to do "earn points convertible into financial donations for associations of your choice", for those who will throw their capsules at a collection point.

As for Nespresso, it communicates about recycling on their site by indicating the number of sorting centers near his health home or by explaining what becomes of the used capsules that are sorted. The Swiss company also launched the platform Ecolaboration devoted to its various actions in sustainable development.

Real awareness or Greewashing? Nespresso is in any case trying to redeem itself for good behavior following the highly publicized intervention in 2011 from the Swiss NGO Solidar, which required Nestlé to offer fair trade coffee across its range of capsules.

According to the newspaper The echoes, Nespresso France would in any case wish to recycle 50% of its capsules in 2025 by investing 10 million euros.

Small problem: according to the Decoders of World, to really recycle the capsules on the whole chain (coffee, plastic, metal), we should consider a scheme passing through four countries: the Netherlands to clean the capsules, Italy to remove the lacquer and melt them in ingots , Germany to transform the ingots into sheets, and Switzerland to transform the metal into capsules again. In addition, if a capsule contains other materials than aluminum (plastic and leftover coffee in particular), it cannot be melted in a conventional oven. In short, the complete recycling of a coffee pod seems to be almost impossible, since too expensive for the moment, but also not so ecological if we stick to the various stages of recycling …

Alternative solutions

Pod and ecology are not incompatible and there are several alternative products to overcome the problems of the single-use capsule. Here is a non-exhaustive selection chosen by us, depending on the price, but also on the materials used.

Biodegradable and compostable

Terramoka

We find among them Terramoka capsules.

Without aluminum and compatible with Nespresso machines, Terramoka are "100% biodegradable": The packaging of these capsules is indeed compostable since it is exclusively composed of corn starch. They are also certified Ok compost, a label which certifies the conformity of bioplastics. After use, it is therefore possible to throw the small Terramoka seal in the green bins (or on its compost heap).

The case of 15 Terramoka capsules costs around € 6 and the capsule costs € 0.40, the price of a Nespresso capsule.

** Cozy Coffee

Cozy Coffen, a young French shoot, launched at the end of 2018, its own capsules compatible with Nespresso machines, 100% recyclable and naturally compostable. This means that it is possible to throw the capsules in the garden, the vegetable patch or the outdoor compost. Designed from sugar cane, bamboo and paper pulp, the capsule is sold for around 50 euro cents.

rechargeable

The refillable capsule is not only economical, but also ecological. Unlike the others, it is not for single use and can be kept for years, depending on the material used. Just fill the pod with ground coffee of your choice and then pack it down to avoid air pockets (about 7 grams of coffee are needed). Once the coffee has been poured, the grounds must be removed from the capsule and rinsed with clear water. Obviously, the refillable pod requires maintenance after each use, which can be restrictive.

MyEcoCafe

My EcoCofe or the reusable capsule. According to the manufacturer, this stainless steel capsule "does not represent a health hazard"since it is made of stainless steel, unlike a classic aluminum capsule. It is compatible with all Nespresso and Dolce Gusto machines and all ground coffees. Please note that the single capsule still costs € 25.

Certainly less ecological, because in plastic, the Xavax capsule is however much cheaper than MyEcocafé since the set of 3 capsules costs 15 €. It is only compatible with Nespresso machines.

We have presented here only a non-exhaustive list of biodegradable and reusable capsules, but there are many others and it's a safe bet that this market will grow in the years to come – even Starbucks is getting started !

It is important to note that we have not tested these capsules. So we do not know what to expect in terms of maintenance or ease of use. However, it is a safe bet that we will develop grips of these capsules in order to give you a "lab" opinion of these new coffee stars!

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