From developing our first prototype in the 1970s to The Positive Cup strategy of today, we have been learning how to integrate sustainability into our business. Looking to the future, we are seeking ever closer alignment of our ambitions and goals with the Sustainable Development Goals – the global priorities towards 2030.
1970s
Prototypes of the first system to deliver barista-quality coffee at home are developed
1986
Our revolutionary system of portioned coffee was born with machines and capsules designed to deliver an exceptional cup of coffee
1991
The first Nespresso capsule recycling programme is introduced in Switzerland with 34 collection points
1993
Nespresso joins the collective recycling system in Germany with the support of Duales System Deutschland
2003
Designed to improve farm practices and promote the supply of sustainable quality coffee, the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program is launched, in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance
2005
A detailed lifecycle assessment of a cup of Nespresso highlights the relative significance of Scope 3 – emissions that occur within our value chain but that are not owned or controlled by Nespresso
2009
We set out our plan towards 2013 for Creating Shared Value:
- 80% AAA coffee sourcing
- 75% capsule collection capacity
- 20% GHG emission/cup
2012
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) for responsible aluminium sourcing and stewardship is launched
2014
The 2009 plan was achieved. And supported by a CHF 500 million investment, The Positive Cup goals and ambitions were announced:
- Total company engagement
- Resilient coffee farms and communities
- End to end sustainably managed aluminium
- Integrated actions on climate change
2015
Nespresso launches the Vertuo system – providing additional sustainable consumption opportunities with long-cup, high-quality coffee at the touch of a button
2016
USAID and the World Bank become the first partners to join the Nespresso Sustainability Innovation Fund (NSIF)
2017
The first Creating Shared Value report is published in accordance with GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, is launched
2018
The Positive Cup Hub, a digital platform to engage stakeholders in sustainability topics material to our business goes live
2020
An important milestone to review the progress on our Positive Cup ambitions and goals
2030
Our continued contribution towards the SDGs
Our Positive Cup ambitions seek to contribute to 11 of the 17 SDGs and descriptions of these are outlined below.
Two of these goals (SDG 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Inclusive Growth) set the direction for the role of a consumer products company such as ours, while the others are material to our value chain and business principles.
