Nespresso Canada has expanded its green bag recycling programme across all Quebec municipalities that operate sorting centres and have agreements with Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ).

This makes Quebec the second province in Canada to offer province-wide access to the programme, following updates to recycling regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework that took effect earlier this year.

Through the programme, residents can recycle used Nespresso aluminium coffee capsules by placing them in specially designed green bags and depositing them in their regular recycling bins. The green bags are provided at no cost with online orders, in stores and via the Nespresso Club.

The capsules are fully recyclable. Once collected, the aluminium is repurposed and the coffee grounds are used in Quebec’s biomethanization facilities.

Nespresso Canada president Carlos Oyanguren noted that Quebec was the first province to pilot the green bag scheme in 2016. "The expanded rollout of the green bag program throughout the province has been a Nespresso priority for years. In fact, Quebec was where the green bag programme was first launched in 2016," he said.

"We are proud of the enthusiasm this programme has generated among consumers and municipalities, and of being able to make this easy recycling solution available province-wide. For over a decade, Nespresso has been playing a key role in reducing waste in the country by implementing innovative recycling solutions. Combining quality and sustainability has always been at the heart of our DNA."

Maryse Vermette, president and CEO of Éco Entreprises Québec, added: "This recovery and recycling solution, the result of an agreement between Éco Entreprises Québec and Nespresso and made possible with EPR, is part of the circular economy dynamic. Throughout Quebec, we encourage the public to make the right thing when sorting – for containers, packaging and printed paper – and this now includes Nespresso aluminum coffee capsules."

With the Quebec expansion, Nespresso’s green bag programme now reaches over 1,500 communities across Canada, including areas in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and all of Prince Edward Island.