Recently, Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands evaluated the environmental impact and recyclability of single-serving coffee capsules made of different materials under various end-of-life scenarios. Compostable capsules were found to be the most sustainable option when considering both material recyclability and greenhouse gas emissions.
"Billions of coffee capsules are used in Europe every year. Although coffee grounds contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions when a single serving of coffee is used, the materials used in these capsules still have a considerable impact," explains project leader Ingeborg Smeding. She and her colleagues analyzed the impact of three types of capsules: compostable bio-based capsules, traditional plastic capsules, and aluminum capsules.
Material Cycle Indicators
Smeding: "What's unique about this study is that we're not just focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, because that's only part of the story. By considering the circularity of materials, we gain a broader perspective on the sustainability of various options." Circularity is quantified through the Material Circularity Index (MCI), a tool developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This indicator is one of the most complete tools, as it covers recovery rate, recycled content, recycling process yield, biobased content, reusability and average lifetime.
