MILAN – Lavazza unveiled yesterday (3rd March 2015) in Milan its first 100 percent compostable coffee capsule. The new product is the result of a five-year collaboration between Lavazza and Italian bioplastics firm, Novamont.
The capsule is made of third generation Mater-Bi, an innovative bioplastic obtained thanks to proprietary technologies in the field of starch, cellulose, vegetable oils and their combinations.
Bioplastics are materials whose properties and characteristics of use are very similar to those of traditional plastics, but at the same time, they are biodegradable and compostable according to the European standard UNI EN 13432.
Due to the characteristics of biodegradability and compostability, Mater-Bi products allow to optimize waste collection and management, to reduce environmental impact and to contribute to the development of virtuous systems with significant advantages along all the production-consumption-disposal cycle.
The new compostable capsules can be disposed of in organic waste containers and then taken to composting plants, where both capsule and coffee grounds are recycled as compost.
The capsule will hit the market in 2016. Capsules will come in two blends, both with 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee.
