Recycling your used coffee pods with Podback

South Derbyshire District Council is working with Podback, the coffee pod recycling service to give pod coffee lovers simple and convenient ways to recycle.

Used coffee pods can be recycled at the household waste recycling centre (tip) and Podback is also working with retailers to provide local drop-off points for Podback bags, so you can recycle used pods along with other items, like batteries and soft plastics, as part of your regular routine.

How to Recycle Your Coffee Pods

  • Find your local drop-off point:
    • Use the Podback online Recycle Checker to find your nearest drop-off point. 
    • Click on that location for more details on how to recycle.
    • If you choose to recycle in-store, you can follow the ‘Get a bag’ link to order your free Podback bags.
    • When your bag is full, seal it and drop it off at the chosen location.
  • Free Podback bags for instore drop-off are also available from the customer service desk at Morrisons supermarkets, and when you order pods from Podback member brands.
  • You do not need to use Podback bags to recycle pods at the household waste recycling centre (tip) just tip your pods loose into the relevant Podback container (plastic or aluminium)

What happens to the pods you recycle with Podback?

Your pods will be recycled here in the UK. 

The bags of aluminium and plastic pods are taken to Podback’s recycling hub in East Yorkshire, where they are shredded to remove the coffee. The plastic and aluminium are then sent to specialist recycling plants.

Aluminium pods are recycled in South Wales.  They are melted and the aluminium is used in the manufacture of drink cans and car components. 

Plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire. They turned into pellets which are used to make a variety of durable products, including building materials and packaging crates. 

The coffee grounds are taken to a food waste recycling plant in South Yorkshire.  Here they are processed to become renewable energy (biogas) to power businesses and homes using a process called anaerobic digestion.  The by-product of the process is a nutrient-rich biofertiliser, which is supplied to local farmers for use as a soil improver.

Podback bags are also recycled by a specialist plastic film recycling company in East Yorkshire.

You can watch the recycling journey of your coffee pods here.

Podback: Freqently asked questions

Can I recycle any brand of coffee pod?

Podback was created by coffee pod brands to give their customers across the UK a free recycling service; so if your coffee pod brand is a member of Podback you can order your free recycling bags and use the service. 

To find out if your brand is included please use the recycle checker on the Podback website.

 

Can I recycle hot chocolate and tea drink pods?

Yes, Podback accepts tea, milk and hot chocolate pods made by their member brands.

 

Do I need to remove the coffee grounds before recycling?

No, there is no need to scrape out your pods. At the recycling plant the pods are shredded to remove the coffee, and this is recycled with other food waste to create energy (biogas) and a soil improver for farmers.

 

Where is my local drop-off point?

To find your local Podback drop-off point use the Recycle Checker on the Podback website. You will see a map of local drop-off points. Click on your chosen drop-off point for details of how to recycle.
Podback will be adding more drop-off points in the coming months, so please check online when you're ready to recycle.

 

How do I get Podback bags?

You can order your free Podback bags online at www.podback.org.
Bags are also available from the customer services desk at Morrisons supermarkets, and from Podback member brand websites.

 

Can I take my coffee pods to the household waste recycling centre (tip)?

Yes, look out for the Podback containers and take your pods along next time you book a trip to the Recycling Centre.
You don’t need a Podback bag, just save your pods in any bag or container. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods please save these separately.  Just tip your pods loose into the relevant Podback container on site.