Nespresso coffee capsules into ornaments and keepsakes like this Rosa Rio ball which consists of 135 individually folded aluminum coffee capsules to form intricate roses (below).
The Nespresso system, which uses coffee capsules (coffee pods), with proprietary machines, produces quality espresso in near instant time. But many people wonder where all those capsules go after their use.
They are recycled or upcycled.
“It was only natural for us to take this step. We need to do our part in helping the environment,” said Novateur Coffee Concepts marketing manager Mia Silva. “Fortunately for us, the Nespresso coffee capsules are made of aluminum, which is an infinitely recyclable material.”
Silva was speaking in the events area at Holy Carabao Farm in Laguna, at the education facility created by Hindy Weber and Melanie Go. On the farm, media guests attended a coffee-tasting master class, using Nespresso capsules, and a talk on how the company recycles aluminum pods in the Philippines.
“Early this year, we launched the localized version of the global recycling campaign of Nespresso,” said Silva. “The campaign asks customers to bring their used Nespresso capsules back to our boutique at Rockwell. We even provide free biodegradable ziplock bag, so they can keep their used capsules there, until you can give them back to us.
“There’s even an option where customers can give their used capsules to delivery drivers, when ordering online,” added Silva.
The program is not just a PR stint, says Silva. The brand collaborated with companies like Katipunan Metal Corp., where recycled capsules are sent and the aluminum turned into its raw form to be used in the manufacturing of aluminum products such as car parts, computer parts, and more.
They also showed how used capsules collected from Nespresso customers were “upcycled” into decorative items by artisans at the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation.
Coffee master class
How about the grounds?
“We’ve partnered with farms like Holy Carabao to use the spent coffee grounds for compost pile. With collaborations like this, we are really making a difference in terms of recycling,” added Silva.
Weber and Go also discussed the importance of healthy soil, holistic farming, and educating the youth. The farm collaborated with Acacia Waldorf and produced a farming curriculum for the school, with the help of Nu Wave Farmers, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus.
The two talked about soil health and how creating a farming community with healthy soil environment can lessen carbon in the atmosphere.
Organic food
Guests sampled the organic food of Holy Carabao Farm—Carrot Beet hummus, Chicken Liver Pâté and Sourdough Crostini for starters.
For entrées, we had organic porchetta with malunggay sauce and Adlai sofrito. The pork was choice—tender, juicy, with the right amount of fat.
For dessert was Holy Carabao’s ice cream.
After lunch was a coffee master class with Concepts Coffee ambassador JR Abril who discussed coffee cupping, and how to identify tasting notes.
Guests were soon slurping (loudly) and sipping to their heart’s content, the coffee the perfect ending to an educational, and very filling afternoon on the farm. —CONTRIBUTED
Bring used aluminum capsules to collection points: Nespresso Boutique at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell; Nespresso Pop Up Stores at The Podium, Greenbelt, One Bonifacio, BGC; and Rustan’s Department Stores (Makati, Shangrila, Alabang). Home pick-up is available via www.nespresso.ph, while direct collection is available for business-to-business accounts.