Reporting Performance

On track with our 2013 sustainability commitments

When Nespresso launched Ecolaboration™ in 2009, we made the commitment to report back with openness and transparency on our progress in meeting our 2013 goals.

In June 2011, we released our Mid-term Report for our Ecolaboration™ commitments.

Three years after launching Ecolaboration™, we are on track to meet our 2013 sustainability commitments:

• Coffee Sourcing:

In 2012, Nespresso sourced 68% of our green coffee from our unique AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program. We are on track with our commitment to source 80% of our coffee from the program, including Rainforest Alliance certification, by 2013.

• Capsule Recycling:

At the end of June 2012, our capacity to collect used capsules for recycling by putting in place collection systems rached 76,4%. surpassing our initial commitment to reach 75% by 2013 one year ahead of plan.

• Carbon Reduction:

By the end of 2011, we estimate we had reduced by 16% the carbon footprint required for producing a cup of Nespresso coffee, compared to 2009, and against a carbon reduction target of 20% by 2013.

Through Ecolaboration™, Nespresso has made good progress in each of our sustainability commitments. But for us, sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement. We are determined to go further in the future to Create Shared Value for the Nespresso community.

68% of Nespresso coffee sourced from the AAA Program: on track to meet our 2013 commitment

A coffee farmer sells her coffee to
the local cooperative

• More than two thirds of our green coffee was sourced through the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, with more than 240,000 hectares of farming land being part of an active sustainable management programme.
• By the end of 2012, Nespresso had rolled out the AAA Program in height of the nine countries of origin where we source coffee.
• Ethiopia joined India, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua as countries in the AAA Program.
• By the end of 2012, more than 52,000 farmers had joined our AAA Program, up from 33,000 farmers in 2009.
• Measurements of the impacts of the AAA Program in Central America by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimate that, on average, Real Farmer Income™ for AAA farms was 27% higher than for farms that were not part of the AAA Program.

Download the full coffee mid-term report.

Read case studies on the AAA Program.

76,4% of global collection capacity: our 2013 commitment has been surpassed

A consumer brings back his used
capsules to a Nespresso Boutique
collection point for recycling

• In 2012, 25 countries – from Australia to Austria and from the UK to the US – had systems in place to collect used capsules, reaching over 14,000 dedicated collection points. 
• In 2010, Sweden accepted the collection of used Nespresso capsules as part of its national used packaging recovery system (REPA). Finland followed in 2012.
• Nespresso is taking responsibility by putting in place customised solutions that make it easier for our Club Members to return their used capsules. Nespresso has installed collection points in Nespresso boutiques and within the community. Nespresso also works with courier companies to enable doorstep collection in select regions. Six European markets have now put in place such a system. 

Download the full capsules mid-term report.

Read case studies on used capsules recycling initiatives.

An estimated 16% of reduction in the carbon footprint of a cup of Nespresso coffee: on track to meet our 2013 commitment

Coffee plantation, an
important natural
environment for
biodiversity

• Since 2009, all new Nespresso machine ranges have been equipped with an automatic stand-by mode or power-off function.
• PIXIE, one of our latest machines, automatically switches off after nine minutes of inactivity, consuming 40% less energy than a model rated as “A” according to FEA / CECED labelling.
• We have built environmental efficiencies into our production centre in Avenches, Switzerland. An innovative energy recovery system reduces the amount of energy needed to roast green coffee by approximately 16% to 20%.
• We supported the launch of a Climate Friendly farming module in Guatemala. This education program was created by our partners, including the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a local university and our coffee sourcing partner EFICO. The module includes voluntary guidelines to help farmers reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. These guidelines will help them better prepare for the new challenges that climate change is already bringing to coffee growing regions.

Download the full carbon footprint mid-term report.

Read case studies on carbon footprint reduction.