Nespresso, MCF collaborate in 'Zero Waste City' initiative in SZ

Coffee grounds, once overlooked, are now playing an important role in reshaping the city's ecological future. Global premium coffee brand Nespresso has joined forces with the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF) to support the construction of a "Zero Waste City" in Shenzhen.

Nespresso and MCF have joined hands to support the "Zero Waste City" initiative. Photos by courtesy of Nespresso China

The initiative, in collaboration with sustainability promotion platform On the RISE, focuses on transforming coffee waste into valuable resources, with the aim of enhancing Shenzhen's mangrove ecosystem and promoting waste reduction in urban environments.  

As Shenzhen's first National Ecological and Environmental Science Popularization Base, the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park is managed by the MCF, which continuously pushes forward sustainable park management through innovative solutions. One of these approaches includes using ecological composting, which transforms green waste generated during park maintenance into soil-enhancing materials.

Representatives from Nespresso China and MCF at the launch ceremony that announces the collaboration. 

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Nespresso and MCF have introduced an efficient and systematic solution for the health of Shenzhen's mangrove ecosystem. The process involves recycling used Nespresso coffee capsules, extracting the coffee grounds, and mixing them with garden waste to ferment and convert into nutrient-rich "black gold" soil. This innovative composting technique has been shown to enhance soil nutrient content, improve soil structure, and provide a more fertile growing medium for the vegetation in the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park.

Coffee grounds are extracted from recycling Nespresso coffee capsules and mixed with garden waste, resulting in the nutrient-rich "black gold" soil at the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park. 

Looking ahead, Nespresso plans to further deepen its commitment to sustainability in southern China, with the establishment of a capsule recycling line in Guangzhou later this year. By the end of this year, the company aims to achieve an annual processing capacity of 80 tons of recycled capsules. This initiative is a key part of Nespresso's strategy to optimize and complete its national resource recycling loop, solidifying its promise toward sustainable development.

Since launching its capsule recycling program in mainland China in 2015, Nespresso has been a pioneer in the global coffee industry, positioning sustainability at the heart of its brand strategy. The program focuses on collecting used coffee capsules, which are sent to Nespresso's recycling facility where they are separated and given a "second life."

Matt Lu, general manager of Nespresso China, expressed: “Nespresso has always believed that the purpose of a cup of coffee goes beyond just the cup. Through our capsule recycling program and public participation model, we aim to inject a positive force into the construction of a 'Zero Waste City.' We will continue to explore more sustainable innovations, integrating sustainability more deeply into our brand.”

Nespresso believes that the purpose of a cup of coffee goes beyond just the cup.