Recycling coffee capsules
Photo: ®Daniel Willinger
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5 million reasons to celebrate: successful coffee capsule project

coffee capsule recycling, coffee capsule collection

Since 1 October 2023, Upper Austria and parts of Lower Austria have been running a pilot project for the collection and recycling of coffee capsules that is unique in Europe. Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA), in cooperation with waste collection centres and Billa Plus, has introduced a separate bin in which not only aluminium capsules, but also plastic and compostable capsules can be disposed of. The first three months of the project have already seen an impressive start, with five million capsules collected and a total of 46 tonnes of material.

Diverse collection points and support along the value chain

The capsules can be handed in at all waste collection centres in Upper Austria, Krems Land and Schwechat in specially designated containers. It is also possible to return them at all Billa Plus branches in Upper Austria. The project is supported along the entire value chain, from leading coffee producers to packaging manufacturers and retail partners.

Unique recycling plant in Pettenbach

The collected capsules are processed in a new recycling plant in Pettenbach in Almtal. Coffee and capsules are separated there and then processed into valuable raw materials. The coloured capsules are converted into pure aluminium or plastic for the manufacture of new products. The remaining coffee grounds are recycled and used as organic fertiliser, oil binder or biogas.

Unique pilot project in Europe

ARA's pilot project is unique in Europe and has achieved impressive results since its launch in October 2023. Over 5 million capsules (52 tonnes) have been collected in the pilot regions of Upper Austria and the districts of Krems-Land and Schwechat. This not only shows the acceptance of the project among consumers, but also the effectiveness of a targeted collection initiative.

#schongenial - We make positive things visible, already ingenious!

 

Source: red, ooe.ORF.at

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