In a world where fashion is under fire for its environmental footprint, a new collaboration between Nespresso and Lebanese luxury brand Sarah’s Bag proves that sustainability really is, in the bag.
The two brands have teamed up to create a stunning limited-edition clutch, handcrafted from 75 to 80 recycled Nespresso coffee capsules, made by women artisans in Lebanon.
This is the first upcycled product launched by Nespresso in the Middle East, merging the Swiss brand’s commitment to circular design with Sarah’s Bag’s legacy of empowering women.
Each bag takes more than 15 hours of handwork, combining delicate embroidery, glass beading, and flattened aluminium sequins (yes, those are your used Nespresso pods) into a stunning 3D floral bag with woven straw that mimics traditional jute coffee sacks.
‘At Sarah’s Bag, every piece tells a story, not just of craftsmanship, but of resilience and empowerment,’ says founder Sarah Beydoun, who started the label in 2000 as a way to provide meaningful employment to marginalised women by teaching them artisanal skills like beading, embroidery, and crochet. Sarah’s Bag now employs up to 200 vulnerable women including current and former prisoners, transforming their lives and preserving traditional Middle Eastern crafts.
‘Transforming used Nespresso capsules into artful, hand-embroidered designs felt like a natural extension of our mission to create fashion with a purpose,’ she adds.
The upcycled capsules are collected by arcenciel, one of Lebanon’s leading non-profit organisations, also known for its work empowering marginalised communities through sustainable development. As Nespresso’s recycling partner in Lebanon, arcenciel ensures used capsules are responsibly recovered. The aluminium is then transformed into intricate embellishments that adorn the consciously chic clutch.
Nespresso’s Capsule Comeback
The collaboration also reflects the coffee company’s broader commitment to sustainable innovation.
Alongside capsule recycling and its AAA Sustainable Quality Program – the company’s long-term initiative to source high-quality coffee in a way that supports farmers, protects the environment, and ensures sustainable production for the future – the brand has launched a range of second-life products, including a Swiss Caran d’Ache pen, Re:Ground sneakers made from used coffee grounds, and mugs crafted from coffee husks. Now, with this stunning handbag, they’ve added high-fashion to their sustainability portfolio.
‘We believe no material is waste, it’s a resource,’ says Shirin Moayyad, Coffee Storyteller at Nespresso HQ in Switzerland. ‘This partnership marks our first regional upcycled product and allows us to bring that philosophy to life through something beautiful, useful, and impactful.’
For conscious consumers, this limited-edition clutch is a symbol of thoughtful luxury and slow fashion. So, whether you’re a long-time fan of Sarah’s Bag or new to Nespresso’s sustainability story, this collaboration offers an eye-catching way to wear your values. And with only a limited number of bags available across select boutiques and online, consider this your one shot to grab a collector’s item that’s as bold as your morning brew.
The bag is available at select Nespresso boutiques in the UAE and Lebanon, as well as online via nespresso.com/ae and sarahsbag.com (priced at AED 1,285 / USD 350).
