Swedish startup recycles Nespresso pods into bicycles

Vélosophy is making a bike using aluminium from 300 Nespresso pods

Spotted: Vélosophy is a Swedish bicycle and lifestyle brand that makes bicycles from recycled aluminium coffee capsules. The latest model, RE:CYCLE, is a collaboration with Nespresso. The bicycle project aims to encourage Nespresso drinkers to engage in the company’s pod recycling scheme.

The bike has various design features that reference Nespresso. These include a plum colour frame — attributed to Nespresso’s famous Arpeggio blend — a coffee pod-shaped bell and straps, for securing to-go coffee cups on the carrier basket. 

Founded in 2015, Vélosophy is the world’s only bicycle brand that donates a bike to a schoolgirl in the developing world with every Vélosophy sold. This is made possible with the company’s online-exclusive sales, which minimise operation costs.

Vélosophy’s CEO and founder is Jimmy Östholm, a bike-entrepreneur and former IKEA communications manager. Since working at IKEA, Östholm has been inspired to produce quality products that are affordable and environmentally-friendly. Despite this, RE:CYCLE is expected to be priced at €1,290.