Foundations Newsletter

Like many people, here and globally, one of the first things I do each morning is get caffeinated.  Approximately five years ago, several of us in the C Block area pooled our money and purchased a Nespresso machine for use at work.  Initially, it was to save money and be sure of a good “cuppa” first thing in the morning.  Soon, however, it turned out that there was much more value to these small, shiny aluminium capsules than just flavour.

What is this newsflash, you may ask.  Well, it has to do with recycling and helping to save the environment, or at least our little corner of it.  Bee’ah, based in Sharjah, is a fully integrated environment and waste management company.  An industry leader, it is one of the largest of its type in the region.  One of their many partnerships is with Nespresso.  If you collect and return your used capsules to any of the many Nespresso sales points, they are delivered to the Bee’ah recycling facilities.

Upon arrival at Bee’ah, the aluminium and its contents are separated.  The aluminium is melted, and sent elsewhere for the manufacture of new aluminium products, while the coffee grounds are stored in Bee’ah’s compost plant and used as a natural fertiliser for agriculture and gardening.  The capsules themselves contain no plastic wrapping, just the cardboard container that they come in, which itself is recyclable.

The more aluminium that we recycle, the less money, time, and energy need are needed to manufacture new products.  As much as 90% of the energy used to mine and produce virginal aluminium is saved by using the recycled material.  So, the next time you reach for those plastic capsules, think again.  Sharjah and Bee’ah are leading the way in recycling, and not just with coffee capsules.  Let’s help them do their job, and in return we help ourselves.