Recycle your coffee pods with Podback
We collect coffee pods in separate Podback collection bags along with your orange and black sacks.
Podback is a nationwide not-for-profit coffee pod recycling service.
Created in partnership with coffee pod systems Nespresso, NESCAFE Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, it provides you with a simple and easy way to recycle used coffee pods.
We are working with Podback to provide this service, so you can recycle coffee pods every week as part of your waste and recycling collections.
It’s easy to start recycling your pods, simply follow the steps below.
- Sign up - Order your free recycling bags from Podback Go to the Podback website, go to 'Login' and follow the instructions to create your personal Podback account.
- Get your bags - Podback will send you two rolls of bags, plus a caddy if you use NESCAFE Dolce Gusto coffee pods, for recycling your aluminium or plastic coffee pods along with an instructional leaflet.
- Start recycling your pods - Once you have your bags, simply follow the instructions and place the bag(s) on top of or alongside your orange sack by 7am (and not the night before) on your normal collection day. Please make sure Podback bags are kept separate and not put inside your orange recycling sacks.
Using Podback
When you sign up on the Podback website you’ll be asked what brand of pods you use.
This is so you get the correct bag – white bags for aluminium pods, green bags for plastic pods.
The two materials need to be collected separately as they are sent to different recycling facilities.
Follow the instructions and fill your bag with the used plastic or aluminium pods, no need to remove the coffee grounds, then tie securely and put next to your orange sack for collection.
When you need more bags, you order them directly through your online Podback account.
Podback collections from flats
If you live in a block of flats with a communal bin collection, you can use the Podback Drop Off service, provided by Yodel.
To find out more, and how to get your free recycling bags for this service, please visit the Podback website.
The types of coffee pods Podback recycle
Plastic and aluminium pods for coffee, tea, hot chocolate and milk from participating Podback member brands can be recycled with Podback.
If your brand is not currently a member, why not contact them and suggest they get involved?
Plastic and aluminium pods? How to get bags for both
If your household regularly uses both aluminium and plastic pods, the easiest option is to create two accounts, one for plastic and one for aluminium, using different email addresses.
You can then order the appropriate bags when needed.
What happens to the pods once Podback have collected?
The coffee pods you recycle with Podback are taken to specialist aluminium and plastics reprocessing plants in the UK.
The coffee grounds are removed, and the plastic and aluminium are then transformed into new products, including beverage cans and plastic crates.
The coffee grounds are used to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Find out more by watching our video.
Reasons why your bags haven't been collected and what to do
The recycling crews will collect all Podback recycling bags that are clearly visible, securely tied and not split or overflowing.
Please make sure your bags only contain coffee pods and are not filled with liquids or packaging.
It may be that the crew had to leave the bags as they contained the wrong materials.
If the bags do contain the wrong materials or lots of liquid, please remove these before putting them out on your next collection.
Missed pod collections
If your pods have not been collected, please take them back inside your property and put out again on your next scheduled collection.
Cancelling Podback
You can cancel the Podback service through your online account at any time.