Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – On International Coffee Day, celebrated today, the National Consortium for Aluminium Packaging (Cial) reminds us how to properly dispose of coffee capsules in the separate waste collection, following the instructions of our local municipality. Since August 12, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste has been applicable, introducing a clearer classification for coffee capsules and pods, recognizing them as packaging.
Until then, due to their structure composed of aluminum and used coffee, the capsules did not fall into this category and were destined for unsorted waste collection, with recovery of the small and lightweight aluminum still very limited.
Regulatory recognition – Cial highlights – is a decisive step, but for recycling to be truly effective, plants and processes capable of intercepting this material and separating it from the rest of the waste are needed.
The new European framework also provides for harmonized environmental labeling on all packaging by August 12, 2028, to indicate to consumers the correct disposal destination.
According to YouGov1 data, coffee is present in 86% of Italian families and over half own a capsule machine, a share that has grown by almost three percentage points in a year, while traditional ground coffee is progressively losing ground.
An evolution in which aluminum plays a leading role: it protects the coffee from air, light, and humidity, preserving its freshness and aroma. It resists extraction and is 100% recyclable and infinitely recyclable.
A concrete example comes from Milan, where starting in March 2026, aluminum coffee capsules can be disposed of in the yellow plastic and metal bag, including coffee grounds. This system was born from a collaboration between the Municipality of Milan, Amsa, A2A Ambiente, and CIAL, and is made possible by the A2A Ambiente sorting plant in Muggiano, where an eddy current separator (ECS) intercepts small-sized aluminum and sends it for melting and transformation into new products, rather than discarding it. The model will be gradually extended to the surrounding municipalities served by Amsa.
The new European regulation does not introduce a uniform procedure for all of Italy: aluminum capsules must be disposed of according to the instructions of your municipality, generally in the metal or multi-material collection group. It is also essential to follow the instructions of the local waste management company for the residual contents.
To help citizens in this daily task, CIAL reminds us of the 5 rules of recycling, valid for capsules, cans and aluminum foil.
1. Follow your municipality's rules: aluminum is often disposed of together with plastic or glass, depending on local regulations.
2. Not just cans: capsules, caps, thin sheets of foil, tins, and aluminum trays should also be collected.
3. Small but precious: capsules, caps, closures, and small parts have great value in the recycling chain.
4. Be careful with residues: for capsules, follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying; for other packaging, simply remove the coffee residues without thoroughly washing them.
5. Separate and compact: remove the caps, separate the aluminum from other materials and crush the packaging to facilitate sorting.
"These are small gestures, but they make a difference: International Coffee Day is an opportunity to remember that even a capsule, if disposed of correctly, can contribute to the circular economy. The new European regulations help clarify matters, and the Milan experience demonstrates that, with adequate facilities, even the smallest and lightest aluminum can be recovered. 100% and infinitely recyclable, the aluminum from capsules can thus be transformed from waste to resource," says Stefano Stellini, General Manager of Cial.
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