Coffee and Cycling in Stockholm
In partnership with Nespresso
By Patrick JanelleWhen I landed in Stockholm for the first time, in August 2019, I was greeted by sunny skies and warm weather—the kind of temperatures that feel like autumn is around the corner but summer is hanging on for a few more glorious days.
The weather was important, because I was there to experience the city in a way that many Stockholmers do: via bicycle. A few hours after landing, I headed to the local Spritmuseum, a waterfront warehouse-turned-temple-to-liquor, where the global coffee brand Nespresso was hosting a launch party for a new collaboration with a Swedish bicycle company, Vélosophy.
In 1991, Nespresso instituted a program for recycling its iconic, colorful, aluminum capsules from which cups of steaming espresso or cafe lungo are extracted. I aim for sustainable practices in my everyday life—refilling my water bottle, carrying reusable straws, and everyday recycling—and the program means I can continue this practice in my morning coffee ritual. Placing my used capsules in complimentary, pre-paid UPS bags, I recycle them by sending them away or dropping them off at the closest Nespresso boutique. After processing, the aluminium casing is ready for a new use, while the coffee grounds are made into compost.
Jimmy Östholm, whom I met during my travels to the Scandinavian capital, founded Vélosophy in 2015. In addition to his philanthropic one-for-one model—the company donates a bicycle to a schoolgirl in Africa for each one it sells—sustainability has always been a core value of the brand, and his bicycles have been made with recycled aluminum since the beginning. When he heard about Nespresso’s recycling program, he had an idea: he would love to have access to Nespresso’s stockpile and use the material in future models. Jimmy penned an email to the company's corporate office, pressed send, crossed his fingers, and waited. A month later, a representative from the brand contacted him. They were very interested in working together.
On August 12, 2019, the partnership was announced, and the resulting product was unveiled. The bicycle, called RE:CYCLE, is made from 300 recycled aluminum Nespresso capsules and is painted a lush purple hue reminiscent of Nespresso’s original Arpeggio espresso. A copper, Nespresso Vertuo capsule-shaped bell sits on the handlebar, and the sleek, pressed-birch basket features two cup holders for safely transporting coffee on the go.
After test-driving the bicycle in Stockholm, I was hooked. The bike is comfortable and easy to ride, and I have to admit I love the cup holders for sipping my brew on the go. I now have my own model, and I’ll soon be taking to the streets of Manhattan on my new Arpeggio-colored ride. First stop, to drop off another bag of used capsules at my neighborhood Nespresso boutique.
Vélosophy bicycles are available at velosophy.cc.
