In collaboration with Golden Compound, a materials producer, Alpha has developed a new line of fully-biodegradable coffee capsules that can be used in Nespresso coffee machines. Golden Compound’s ‘Green’ material, created from natural fibres in sunflower seed shells that have been ground, was used to make the capsules.
Alpha’s new capsules reduce waste in the food industry as they are made using sunflower seed shells which are by-products of the industry. The company is proud of its efficient use of resources that mean its product does not create any added carbon burden.
Once finished with, the capsule, filter fleece and lid which are all biodegradable can be disposed of in the consumer’s home compost. The capsules take six months to decompose naturally. When composted the left-over coffee granules serve as an essential source of nutrients for the soil, including potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. The capsules produce an organic matter found in soil, generated by plant material – humus – when composted.
