Close×

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.

Food & Drink Business

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has appointed Mike Guerin as the organisation’s new CEO, at a critical time for the sector. He takes over from Su McCluskey, who has been the interim chief executive since September.

Alternative protein think tank Food Frontier and Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) have joined forces, with the goal to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging food production technologies in Australia.

As part of the development of a national food security strategy, the federal government has commissioned a food supply chain assessment. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Food Council on 23 March, focused on the impact of conflict in the Middle East on Australia’s food system.