Milan Now Recycles Coffee Capsules in Yellow Bin: New Aluminum Recycling System

Milan, Italy – A significant shift in waste management practices is underway in Milan, as residents can now include aluminum coffee capsules in their yellow recycling bins alongside plastic and metal packaging. The change, effective March 9, 2026, is the result of a collaborative effort between the City of Milan, Amsa (the city’s multi-utility company), A2A Ambiente, CIAL (the National Packaging Aluminum Consortium), and Nespresso. This move aims to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, anticipating upcoming European Union regulations.

New Technology Enables Aluminum Recovery

The initiative hinges on the capabilities of A2A Ambiente’s Muggiano plant, located just outside Milan. The facility utilizes an eddy current separator (ECS) – a technology considered an “excellence in Italy” – to identify and separate small aluminum items, such as coffee capsules, bottle caps, and blister packs, from the broader waste stream. Previously, these items often ended up in general waste. The ECS technology allows for the recovery of even the finest aluminum fractions, ensuring they are directed towards a new processing pipeline involving melting and transformation into new products. The Comune di Milano details the collaborative effort and the technological advancements enabling this change.

Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without losing its properties. This is particularly important for Italy, which lacks significant domestic bauxite mining operations – the raw material for aluminum production. Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy required to produce it from virgin materials, according to project stakeholders.

Aligning with Upcoming EU Regulations

The change in Milan’s waste management protocol likewise proactively addresses the forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Ppwr) from the European Union, set to take effect in August 2026. The Ppwr will officially classify coffee capsules as packaging, mandating their inclusion in separate collection systems. The Milanese system, however, is ahead of the curve, demonstrating a practical application of the upcoming regulatory framework. Il Sole 24 Ore reports on the alignment with the EU’s Ppwr regulations and the proactive approach taken by Milan.

Currently, Italian regulations do not classify capsules as packaging due to the presence of residual coffee grounds. This has historically resulted in their disposal as undifferentiated waste. The combination of the ECS technology at the A2A Ambiente facility, the collaborative efforts of Amsa, CIAL, and Nespresso, and the impending Ppwr regulations have created a pathway for effective recycling.

Impact on Recycling Rates and Local Economy

Elena Grandi, Milan’s Assessor for the Environment and Green Spaces, emphasized that the new system simplifies waste management for residents and is expected to improve overall recycling rates. Marcello Milani, CEO of Amsa, noted that Milan already boasts a recycling rate exceeding 63%, placing it among the leading metropolitan areas in Europe with populations over one million. He anticipates this initiative will further increase that figure.

Giovanni Faedda, Plant Manager at A2A Ambiente’s Muggiano facility, highlighted the plant’s role as an example of innovation in the circular economy. The ECS technology allows for the recovery of even the smallest aluminum particles, maximizing the amount of material diverted from landfills. Stefano Stellini, Director General of CIAL, underscored the importance of increasing the amount of aluminum recovered for Italy’s needs, given its reliance on imported aluminum.

Nespresso’s Long-Term Commitment to Capsule Recycling

Nespresso has been actively involved in capsule recycling initiatives for over 15 years. Monica Pellegrini, Nespresso Italiana’s Chief Operating Officer, stated that the Milan project complements existing programs like “From Bean to Bean” and the company’s door-to-door collection service. Through these efforts, Nespresso has recovered over 3,500 tons of capsules in Milan and 6,000 tons across Lombardy since 2011. Milanotoday.it details Nespresso’s existing recycling programs and their contribution to the new initiative.

Expanding the System Beyond Milan

To ensure widespread adoption, Amsa and CIAL, with support from Nespresso, will launch a public awareness campaign to educate citizens on the proper disposal of aluminum coffee capsules in the yellow recycling bins. The campaign will include physical advertising in the city, as well as online and social media outreach. The system, initially implemented in Milan, will be progressively extended to municipalities in the surrounding hinterland served by Amsa.

The success of this initiative relies on continued investment in advanced recycling infrastructure and ongoing collaboration between public and private entities. The Milan model offers a potential blueprint for other Italian cities and regions seeking to improve their aluminum recycling rates and contribute to a more circular economy.