What makes Halo Capsules so special?

18/11/2019

In order to understand what makes Halo Capsules so special, first we need to look at the problem Halo Capsules were set up to fix. 

Because there IS a problem. And it’s a big one.

In 2018, 60 billion coffee capsules were manufactured. That’s a huge number. And of that 60 billion capsules, it’s estimated only 20% were recycled – leaving 48 billion capsules that end up either in landfill or in the world’s oceans, where they not only damage the environment but also cause harm to the world’s wildlife. 

Of course, the manufacturers of these pods won’t tell you the damage they do. Sadly, this is an industry rife with ‘ greenwashing ‘ – manufacturers pretending that something is better for the environment that it really is. 

Let’s start with aluminium capsules. Manufacturers of aluminium capsules will tell you that they can be almost infinitely recycled. That’s true. But what they WON’T tell you – is that only a few of these capsules are processed that way. Even Nespresso – with their recycling scheme – say in their company report that only 28% of their capsules are recycled. The rest end up in landfill. 

Plastic capsules – are a disaster for the environment. Made from oil, they can’t be recycled in any way – meaning that they end up in landfill or the oceans. They may be cheap – that’s their main benefit - but surely the environmental price is just too high to pay? 

But there ARE alternatives to aluminium and plastic. And that’s true. There are several ‘ compostable ‘ capsules already on the market. But – and this is where it pays to look closely at the detail on the back of pack – this is where the ‘ greenwashing ‘ comes in. 

Because – with one exception – most of the so-called ‘ compostable ‘ capsules aren’t compostable at all. They’re all made from some kind of bio-plastic, which means that they’re industrially-compostable, not home compostable. More specifically, it means that they need to be broken down by special anaerobic digestors – which most waste disposal plants in the UK just don’t have. And – because they look like plastic – when they get to those plants, they just get thrown in the landfill with all the other plastic trash. 

Halo is the exception. Halo is different.

Halo is the world’s first and only HOME COMPOSTABLE coffee capsule. 

Halo’s capsules are made from waste sugar cane fibre – a totally natural material that will break down in your compost bin or flowerbed in as little as 90 days. 

Let that sink in for a moment. Yes, in 90 days our capsules will be completely gone. No residue, no harmful waste, no microplastics ending up in the ocean. Completely gone. 

In fact, it’s better than that – because if you DO throw them in your compost bin or flowerbed, then the used coffee grounds will add precious nitrates back into the soil – acting as a natural fertiliser. 

We’re so confident that our capsules are the best option for the environment that we offer up a challenge to any other capsule manufacturer: send us your capsules and we will bury them in the garden next to ours. We guarantee our capsules will degrade quicker and more completely than yours. 

That’s what makes Halo different. 

But what about the coffee itself? Isn’t that important?

Of course it is! There wouldn’t be much point making these innovative capsules, and then filling them with mediocre coffee. In fact our mission statement reflects this: “ The world’s best coffees, made in a way that’s best for the world. “ 

All our coffee is specialty grade, sourced from the best growing regions in the world, and designed to deliver the perfect tasting espresso. We’re constantly working with our dedicated Q graders to bring you new blends and new varieties, and we will be expanding our range even more soon. 

The world’s best coffees, made in a way that’s best for the world.

Hopefully, this blog post has explained more about what Halo is, what makes us different, and crucially, what makes us a better choice for the environment than any other coffee capsule brand out there. 

We’re on a mission to rid the world of plastic and aluminium capsules. Hopefully you’ll join us.