Nespresso to use low carbon aluminium from Rio Tinto for its coffee capsules

Rio Tinto has announced today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nespresso’s capsule manufacturers towards a commitment to use 100% sustainable aluminium by 2020. Nespresso will become the first company to use Rio Tinto’s responsibly-sourced aluminium to produce its coffee capsules.

Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said “This as an important step towards the use of responsibly sourced aluminium across manufacturing industries, which Rio Tinto is the first to supply. We expect the demand from consumers for sustainable products to continue growing and Nespresso drinkers can have confidence the aluminium we supply for their capsules meets the highest international standards.”

The use of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Certified Aluminium is an important milestone towards reducing the impact that the world’s second most used base metal has on the planet.

The ASI sets out standards to promote the protection of biodiversity, respect for indigenous peoples’ rights, water management and low-carbon emissions during the production of aluminium.

Nespresso chief executive officer Jean-Marc Duvoisin said: “Nespresso is proud to have been a driving force in creating and implementing the ASI. Together we have made responsibly-sourced aluminium a reality, and the ASI traceability mechanism will enable us to meet our commitment to customers to reduce the impact of their consumption. This is a positive step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”

ASI chief executive officer Fiona Solomon said “Aluminium is a key part of our daily lives: from cars and planes to cell phones, buildings and food packaging. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive global standard for its responsible sourcing and production. Now companies in the aluminium value chain who wish to demonstrate responsible practices can take the ASI standards forward to their customers, who can, in turn, be confident that this represents the highest environmental, social and governance standards.”