MONTREAL — Nespresso will become the first company to use responsibly sourced aluminum, supplied by Rio Tinto, 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 aluminum by 2020.
The use of Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI)-certified aluminum is an important milestone towards reducing the impact that the world’s second-most-used base metal 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 aluminum.
The ASI’s Chain-of-Custody Standard creates a traceability mechanism, so that end users, such as Nespresso, can be sure the aluminum they buy has been manufactured by ASI-certified producers at each stage of the process. The standard is the first of its kind for any industrial metal.
“This as an important step towards the use of responsibly sourced aluminum across manufacturing industries, which Rio Tinto is the first to supply,” says Alf Barrios, Rio Tinto Aluminum’s CEO. “We expect the demand from consumers for sustainable products to continue growing and Nespresso drinkers can have confidence the aluminum we supply for their capsules meets the highest international standards.”
“Nespresso is proud to have been a driving force in creating and implementing the ASI,” says Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO, Nespresso. “Together we’ve made responsibly sourced aluminum 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.”
