Milan, March 10, 2026 – Milan is changing the way residents dispose of aluminum coffee capsules. As of today, citizens can place their used capsules directly into the yellow bags designated for plastic and metal collection, both for household and condominium waste.
Intercepting Aluminum: A Technological Leap
This initiative, unveiled in Milan recently, is a collaborative effort involving the Municipality of Milan, Amsa, A2A Ambiente, Cial, and Nespresso. The enhanced recycling process is made possible by advanced technologies at the Muggiano plant, managed by A2A Ambiente. The facility now utilizes an “eddy current separator,” a specialized device capable of identifying and extracting small aluminum items such as capsules, caps, and blisters, which previously ended up in undifferentiated waste.
100% Recyclability: Environmental and Economic Benefits
The recovered aluminum is sent for smelting and subsequently transformed into new products. This process offers a significant energy saving of 95% compared to producing aluminum from raw materials. Aluminum is celebrated for its infinite recyclability, meaning it can be recycled repeatedly without loss of quality.
This project anticipates the upcoming European regulation Ppwr (Packaging and packaging waste regulation). Starting in August 2026, this legislation will officially classify capsules as packaging, making their inclusion in segregated waste collection mandatory across Europe.
Simplified Waste Management and Increased Recycling
According to Elena Grandi, the Councilor for Environment, the new system simplifies “domestic waste management” and contributes to reducing the volume of undifferentiated waste. Marcello Milani, CEO of Amsa, emphasized that the initiative aims to “increase the city’s separate waste collection,” which currently stands above 63%.
Nespresso and Cial played a crucial role in supporting the technical verification phase of the plant. Monica Pellegrini, Operations Director of Nespresso Italiana, highlighted Nespresso’s long-standing commitment to capsule recovery, with over 3,500 tons collected in Milan since 2011.
Public Awareness Campaign and Future Expansion
The launch of this new service will be accompanied by a comprehensive information campaign across various channels, including street advertisements, print media, and digital platforms. The system is also slated for progressive expansion to the surrounding municipalities in the hinterland served by Amsa.
This development marks a significant step forward in Milan’s commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental protection, aligning the city with future European recycling standards.
