Successful recycling project for coffee capsules

Austria’s first coffee capsule recycling project, involving the joint collection of all capsule types, has been extended due to positive feedback: Originally planned until the end of March, it has now been prolonged until the end of June 2024. Since the start in October 2023, over 50 million capsules (52 tons) have been collected in the pilot regions of Upper Austria and districts of Krems-Land and Schwechat in the first three months. With their campaign, the Austrian Coffee and Tea Association (Österreichischer Kaffee- und Teeverband, or KTV) and Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA) want to keep coffee capsules in circulation and raise awareness among consumers. The project is supported by partners along the entire value chain – including Greiner Packaging.

The campaign is the first project of its kind in Europe and marks a milestone for the circular economy. Capsules from all materials and manufacturers are collected and can be handed in at all waste collection centers in Upper Austria, Krems-Land, and Schwechat in specially designated containers. In Upper Austria, they can also be returned to all Billa Plus branches. An initial assessment of the project after three months far exceeds the initiators’ expectations, with 46 tons collected in Upper Austria and a further 6 tons in the districts of Krems-Land and Schwechat.

Collected capsules are processed in a new recycling plant in Pettenbach, Upper Austria: The coffee and capsules are separated and processed into valuable raw materials. The colorful capsules are turned back into pure aluminum or plastic, while the coffee grounds are used as organic fertilizer, oil binder, or organic gas. ARA CEO Harald Hauke sees raising awareness as an important factor: “Packaging is our Austrian raw material of the future. Innovative projects like this help us raise awareness about resources among the population.”