MILAN – TerraCycle ’s coffee capsules recycling scheme continues to succeed across Australia, with figures showing more than 1.5 million capsules have now been diverted from landfill since the program started. That’s roughly the equivalent weight of one and a half African Elephants!
General Manager of TerraCycle Australia and New Zealand, Jean Bailliard, said the impact of the program was more than an environmental one, with collectors earning donations at the same time.
“Through the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Capsule Recycling Program, collectors earn 2 points or $0.02 per capsule for the school or non-profit organisation of their choice,” Mr Bailliard said.
“To date, more than $27,000 has been raised for schools and charities in Australia through all our free recycling programs, proving that every capsule counts when it comes to this initiative,” said Mr Bailliard.
On Christmas Island, one of the most remote areas of Australia, Tess Martin from the Indian Ocean Group Training Association (IOGTA) said that collecting coffee capsules on behalf of the Christmas Island community was a way of ensuring they were doing their part to protect the environment.
“We have a very limited ability to recycle most household waste. This recycling scheme is an excellent way of sending back to the mainland at least one item that can be re-purposed rather than going to landfill,” said Ms Martin. “Christmas Island is 63% national park and 1500km from Western Australia and we’re keen to look after our island home.”
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Marketing Manager Bryan Win said: “We are delighted that so many Australians have embraced our recycling program as far afield as Christmas Island. It’s great to give these used capsules a second life by turning them into recycled materials that can be transformed into planter boxes, playground equipment and park benches. Each recycled capsule also has the power to benefit schools and not-for-profits through the program’s donation initiative.”
The Recycling Program
To recycle in this program, Australians simply visit www.terracycle.com.au, sign up for free and start collecting Nescafé Dulce Gusto coffee capsules in any available cardboard box. In order to recycle this waste stream properly, collectors must seal their capsules in a plastic bag or ensure the capsules are dry before placing them in their collection box. When full, they log into their TerraCycle account, download a free Australia Post shipping label, stick it to the box of waste and drop it at their nearest post office, free of charge.
Additionally, for each shipment over 7 kilograms, collectors earn 2 points or $0.02 per capsule for the school or non-profit organisation of their choice. Globally, more than $45 million has been raised for schools and non-profit organisations worldwide through TerraCycle’s free recycling programs.
