Nescafe is asking consumers to join a capsule recycling program as part of National Recycling Week, running from 7- 11 November.
The coffee company's Dolce Gusto team has partnered with TerraCycle for the program, which will turn coffee, milk, tea, and chocolate capsules into planter boxes, playground equipment, and park benches.
“Capsule recycling requires a specific process that local council programs are currently unable to take on,” Nestlé Oceania's beverages GM Evan Gongolidis said.
“The program makes recycling simple and stress-free while giving not-for-profits a helping hand too.”
Since the program started in 2014, more than 10,000 consumers have recycled over half a million capsules.
TerraCycle extracts the coffee grounds and sends them to an industrial composting facility, while the plastic from each capsule is melted down and turned into pellets that can be used to make the recycled products.
The aluminium extracted from each capsule is also recycled.
Members select a charity or school to support, or nominate their own not-for-profit organisation or group to receive a donation on their behalf.
To date, members of the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Recycling Program have raised almost $10,000 for charities, not-for-profit organisations, and schools in Australia.