We’ll let the facts speak for themselves.
Globally, 60 billion coffee capsules are consumed annually, and most are plastic or aluminum.
In Ireland 780 million capsules are estimated to be consumed annually, with most ending up in landfills and remaining there for centuries.
While recycling programs exist, the majority of capsules still end up in landfills, contributing to a growing environmental crisis. Even with the best intentions, relying solely on recycling isn’t enough—especially when 80% of capsules don’t make it through the process.
Have you considered how your coffee capsule choices impact the environment?
If you are using 2-3 capsules a day, you are creating 7.67 kilograms of aluminium and plastic waste per year. Over your coffee drinking lifetime (age 25–75), that’s 422 kilograms of waste piling up and persisting for hundreds of years, contributing to Ireland’s landfill problem.
KG OF WASTE
And there is more….
Every capsule you throw away doesn’t just sit in a landfill—it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than CO₂, and contributes additional CO₂ emissions. These gases accelerate climate change, turning a small daily habit into a significant environmental problem. Over your coffee drinking lifetime of using 2–3 capsules a day, you could be responsible for almost 4,000 kg of CO₂ emissions.
CO₂ EMISSIONS
And there’s even more…
Have you thought about your household impact?
Irish households use an average of 10 capsules per week, adding up to 520 capsules per year per household.
-
Plastic capsules take 500–1,000 years to break down, releasing harmful microplastics throughout that time.
-
Aluminum capsules persist for 150–200 years unless properly recycled—but less than 20% are recycled.
The Big Picture for Ireland
If even a small percentage of people switch to compostable options, it can prevent millions of tons of waste. Plastic Saved: If 1,000 households switch to compostable capsules for a year, it could save over 5 tons of plastic waste annually.
What If every Irish household switched to compostable capsules?
If 1.5 million households in Ireland switched to compostable capsules:
-
780 million capsules per year (5,460 metric tons of waste) could be composted instead of landfilled.
-
Landfills would see approximately 4,368 tons less plastic or aluminum waste annually
This would support Ireland’s sustainability goals and reduce environmental footprint nationwide.
Make a responsible choice - Be a part of the solution
Every decision matters. By switching to compostable capsules, you’re taking a step toward reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Your choice doesn’t just stop at your cup of coffee—it can inspire others to follow suit, amplifying the collective impact.
Compostable capsules contribute to a closed-loop system where waste transforms into nutrient-rich compost, supporting agriculture and soil health. This simple switch prevents pollution, reduces landfill burden, and helps create a cleaner, greener future for all. Together, we can turn everyday habits into meaningful change.