iperEspresso Capsule Recycle Program –
General FAQ
What is the illy iperEspresso Capsule Recycle Program?
illy has partnered with leading industry organizations to provide an innovative solution to
recycle iperEspresso coffee capsules. By collecting your used capsules and mailing
them in to be recycled, you’ll be diverting waste from landfills.
What are iperEspresso capsules made of?
Each capsule is made from #5 polypropylene recyclable plastic.
If the plastic is recyclable, why can’t I recycle them with other plastic containers?
While the #5 polypropylene plastic is recyclable, the capsule and the coffee must first be
separated and cleaned. In addition, there are no Federal mandates in North America for
the collection of this or any type of plastic within the municipal waste stream – each
municipality has their own set of rules. Therefore we cannot guarantee that the plastic
will be reclaimed and recycled if it is added to the municipal waste stream.
What are the environmental benefits?
Our process diverts plastic from landfills, enabling capsules made of #5 polypropylene
recyclable plastic to be used to make beneficial products such as park benches,
composite lumber and paver stones, while the coffee inside will be composted and
added to garden soil. All collection materials used in the program will also be recycled.
illy continues to research ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in its current
capsules, and to find alternative materials to use in the future.
How can I participate in the iperEspresso Capsule Recycle Program?
There are three ways in which you can participate:
OPTION 1 illy a casaSM Members:

If you are an illy a casaSM member, the capsule recycle program is a complimentary
service to you as a benefit of membership (no cost to you). You will receive an email
invitation to join the program. Simply follow the instructions, and a welcome kit
including complimentary collection bags and pre-paid shipping labels will arrive in
your next recurring coffee shipment.

Or, to become an illy a casaSM member, visit illyusa.com/member. Once you are a
member, you will receive an email invitation to join the recycle program within 30
days of becoming a member.
OPTION 2 Retail Store Drop Off: (Coming Soon!) Soon you will be able to drop off
your used capsules at any participating retail locations.
OPTION 3 Purchase a Recycle Kit: (Coming Soon!) If you are not an illy a casa
member and there are no participating retail stores near you, you can purchase a
capsule recycle kit by calling illy Customer Care at 1-877-469-4559.
Do I have to prepare my capsules in any way before sending them to a
processing center or dropping them at a participating retailer?
We recommend that capsules be stored in a cool, dry place. If you are mailing capsules
please collect a minimum of 80 capsules (equivalent to 4 cans or more) before shipping
them to our processing partner. You may drop off any quantity of capsules at
participating retailers.
Do I have to pay to ship back my capsules? If yes, what is the cost?
Postage is pre-paid for illy a casa members and there is no cost to drop off capsules at
participating retailers. If you choose to purchase a recycle kit the cost of the postage is
included with your purchase.
What is illy’s Sustainability Philosophy?
illy is the coffee industry leader in responsible production, pioneering protocols like
large-scale, direct purchases from coffee farmers at a guaranteed profit. Over the past
20+ years, our supply chain system has helped transform coffee growing regions
around the world, environmentally, socially and economically, raising farmers’ incomes
and turning coffee into an opportunity for a better life for the farmers and their families.
Our two-plus decade commitment was recognized in 2011 with a Responsible Supply
Chain Process certification from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), one of the world’s leading
certification organizations. illy was awarded DNV’s first-ever certification of a company’s
entire supply chain, recognizing that true sustainability must create value for all
stakeholders – from the farmer to the consumer. illy pays all costs associated with this
certification, not the farmers – in contrast to many other certification systems, where
farmers must invest to become certified and maintain certification. For more information,
visit: http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/company/quality-sustainability-illycaffe.
Who do I contact should I have additional questions?
Please call Customer Care at 1-877-469-4559, or email [email protected].
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