Nespresso and Volies may seem like two very different companies, but they share the B Corp philosophy and values of promoting a positive impact on society and the environment. They connected through the meetings organized by B Lab in Spain to foster alliances among high-impact companies. Together, they have leveraged the powerful tool of corporate volunteering to form an alliance and carry out solidarity and inclusion initiatives.
Nespresso: A strong track record of environmental and social commitment
Nespresso’s firm commitment to sustainability has been a path of ongoing progress and improvement over the years. Its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, launched over 20 years ago in 2003 in collaboration with Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade, works with more than 168,000 coffee farmers across 18 countries. The program promotes sustainable agricultural practices and improves the living conditions of coffee-growing communities, reinforcing the idea that high-quality coffee can result from a sustainable and prosperous life for farmers and their communities, while also preserving the environment.
Additionally, the company has made significant investments in reforestation and regenerative agriculture projects, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.
In the realm of circular economy, Nespresso has been facilitating capsule recycling for over 15 years. Today, customers have access to more than 7,400 collection points across all Spanish provinces. Among the various initiatives, the “Solidarity Rice” project stands out. It transforms recycled coffee grounds into compost used to grow rice in the Ebro Delta, which is then donated to food banks.
In 2022, Nespresso became a certified B Corp company, taking a further step in its commitment by joining a global movement of companies seeking to balance profit with purpose and create a positive impact on the world, adhering to high ethical, transparency, and environmental and social responsibility standards. The company continues on a path of constant improvement, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the value chain, achieve net-zero emissions, transition further into regenerative agriculture, enhance circularity, and strengthen the resilience of coffee-growing communities.
Volies: Over a decade promoting corporate volunteering
Volies, with a track record of more than ten years, has had social impact as the core of its strategy from the beginning. Its mission is to support companies and organizations in promoting social change from within, using the power of their teams as agents of change. It primarily does this through corporate volunteering, but also through diversity management and impact communication.
Each year, Volies coordinates more than 1,000 volunteering and/or social action initiatives for over 70 companies, in collaboration with 400 social organizations across more than 40 countries, mobilizing around 43,000 people annually and directly benefiting about 294,000 others.
“Volunteering has multiple benefits: it fosters learning and skill development, improves mental and physical health, increases pride in belonging to the company, and above all, allows people to have transformative experiences and respond to their social concerns, enhancing the sense of community,” the company highlights.
Together promoting inclusion with Fundació Finestrelles
In collaboration with Volies and Fundació Finestrelles, Nespresso volunteers participated in the foundation’s occupational workshop activities, sharing meaningful moments and learning about the importance of integrating people who are socially excluded.
Fundació Finestrelles works to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities by promoting their social and labor inclusion. The participation of companies in volunteering activities at the foundation not only supports their programs but also raises employee awareness about the importance of inclusion and diversity in society.
This experience has reinforced Nespresso’s focus on generating a positive impact beyond its products, extending its commitment to the communities it operates in, also through corporate volunteering initiatives, involving its teams directly in that commitment.
“For Nespresso, every action counts in creating a fairer and more sustainable world. Together, we collaborate on projects that promote the integration of socially excluded individuals, helping to create a more supportive environment. We are very proud of our ICAN culture, which drives us to undertake these inspiring initiatives and reinforce our purpose. Together, in partnership with other organizations like Volies and Finestrelles, we can continue making a difference!” the organization emphasized.
An alliance between B Corp companies that will continue to yield positive social impact in the future.
