Mining corporation Rio Tinto has announced that Nespresso will become the first company in the world to use responsibly-sourced aluminium to produce its coffee capsules.
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together with Nespresso’s capsule manufacturers to fulfil a commitment of sourcing 100 per cent sustainable aluminium by 2020, allowing customers to enjoy their coffee knowing it is packaged in responsibly produced material.
“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,” Rio Tinto Aluminium Chief Executive Alf Barrios says.
Rio Tinto says 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.
The ASI’s Chain of Custody Standard creates a traceability mechanism, so that end-users like Nespresso can be sure that ASI-Certified producers manufactured the aluminium they buy at each stage of the process. Rio Tinto says the standard is the first of its kind for any industrial metal.
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“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,” Nespresso CEO Jean-Marc Duvoisin says.
“This is a positive step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”