Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Podback and the services we provide
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Podback Scheme
Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit coffee pod recycling service. Created by the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFE Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple and easy ways to recycle them.
If you live in an area with a Kerbside service provided by your local authority, you will receive a supply of bags and instructions once you have signed up.
The bags for the Drop-Off service provided through Collect+ are available from Podback member brands, branches of Morrisons Supermarkets and Ocado. For more details about the Drop-Off service please see the Drop-Off section
There are currently 16 Podback brand members. All pods from these member brands can be recycled through the service.
Our ambition is to expand the programme to include all coffee brands that use plastic or aluminium pods in the UK. You can click here to find out more about Podback.
No, this isn’t necessary. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods at the reprocessor. The coffee is then used as a soil improver and to create renewable energy.
Plastic and aluminium pods are recyclable, but because they are small and lightweight, and contain organic material, they are not easy to collect for recycling using current collection and sorting processes. For this reason they usually end up in the waste stream of material recycling facilities.
Through Podback, pods are collected and reprocessed to recover the plastic, aluminium and coffee, and the materials are given a second life.
Click here to watch our video which explains the recycling journey of your coffee pods.
Yes, the Podback service covers the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland.
Not yet. Currently, our focus is on making pod recycling available to households across the UK. However, we are looking at ways that we could offer our service to businesses and are in active discussions with potential partners.
The recycling service available depends on where you live. Use our postcode checker to find the options available to you, and follow the instructions to get started.
For all services, you will need to use Podback recycling bags.
If you live in an area with a Kerbside service provided by your local authority, you will receive a supply of bags and instructions once you have signed up.
The bags for the Drop-Off service provided through Collect+ are available from Podback member brands, branches of Morrisons Supermarkets and Ocado.
For more details click here to visit the Drop-Off section.
(Please note that not all Collect+ stores currently have the facility to print labels in store.)
Podback collects and recycles plastic and aluminium beverage pods sold by our member brands, this includes coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate pods.
You can find out more about the Podback member brands on our About Us page: click here
Yes you can. Podback collects and recycles plastic and aluminium beverage pods sold by our member brands. This includes coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate pods.
Visit our About Us page to find out if you can recycle your brand of pods
Podback has been created to give lovers of pod coffee simple and easy ways to recycle; so that every pod enjoyed, is recycled.
This mission is supported by our our member brands which, together, make up over 80% of the UK beverage pod market.
We are keen to expand membership of Podback further, and are calling on all coffee pod brands to get involved and create a single recycling solution for pods across the UK.
We know that the easiest way for people to recycle their pods is as part of their local council's recycling service, so it is a priority for Podback to increase the number of councils offering kerbside collection.
However, the roll-out of these services can be a lengthy process which is why we also offer the Drop-Off service through Collect+. For more details about this service please click here to visit the Drop-Off section
Not yet. Currently Podback is only available within the UK, including Northern Ireland. But we are looking at how and when we will expand to the Republic of Ireland and hope to have further details available soon.
Pod Journey
Podback collects aluminium and plastic beverage pods. They are recycled at separate facilities in the UK, but the processes are very similar:
Pods are shredded to remove the coffee and the empty pods are reprocessed and used in the manufacture of new products.
Recycled aluminium pods are used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components.
Recycled plastic pods are used to make a range of products including furniture and industrial packaging.
The coffee grounds are sent for anaerobic digestion, a process which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
The Podback bags are also recycled.
Click here to watch our video following the recycling journey of your coffee pods
Our recycling process takes place within the UK.
Aluminium pods are shredded and then reprocessed at Tandom Metallurgical Group Ltd. in Congleton, Cheshire.
Plastic pods are shredded by Allensway Recycling in East Yorkshire, then reprocessed by Bright Green Plastics in West Yorkshire.
Podback uses different types of bags depending on the collection service – kerbside or drop off. The bags must be able to store used pods in your home, and then must be able to withstand the demands of the journey from your household to the reprocessing plant.
The bags supplied by Podback for aluminium pods (Collect+) and kerbside collections (aluminium and plastic pods) are recycled by a facility in East Yorkshire which specialises in recycling flexible plastics, such as food wrappers and films. The facility produces plastic pellets which are used in a wide range of manufacturing industries.
The green bags used for plastic pods sent through Collect+ are not currently recyclable. Due to the high moisture content in some of these pods, these bags need to be more robust and have an additional layer of material. These bags are currently baled and sent for energy recovery.
However, following successful trials in 2022, we will be introducing a new bag for plastic pods sent through Collec+, which is fully recyclable by our reprocessor in East Yorkshire. We expect that all Podback bags will be recycled in this way by early 2023.
Drop Off / Collect+
The bags for Drop Off are available via Podback member brands' websites, where you can add them to your pod order free of charge. Some Podback members also offer a bag ordering service through their website. You can visit their websites by clicking this link.
Bags are also available at the customer service desk at Morrisons Supermarkets* and when you buy Podback member brand pods online at Ocado.com.
We are working to add more retailers to our bag distribution network.
Podback doesn’t currently have the facility to dispatch bags directly through this website, but this option will be available early in 2023.
*Morrisons Supermarkets: We are aware that some branches of Morrisons are currently out of stock of Podback bags, and we are sorry if you've not been able to get a bag. We have been advised by Morrisons that all bags will be back in stock at Customer Service desks in early January 2023. Help Hub - Morrisons
The quantity of pods will depend on the brand of pods you use, and can range from 70 to 150.
Please fill the recycling bag to the dotted line, ensuring used pods are drained of any liquid.
There is no need to empty your pods, but please drain any remaining liquid from them before putting them in your recycling bag.
Coffee grains are removed at the recycling facility and treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
If you don't have a printer, you should select the Print in Store option when arranging a label.
You then will be emailed a barcode. At the drop-off point present this barcode to the store assistant using your mobile device. They will print the label for you for FREE.
Click here to generate a barcode to return your aluminium pod bag
Click here to generate a barcode to return your plastic pod bag
Please remember you need a label or barcode for EACH bag you are returning
No. Used pods will only be accepted in Podback bags.
There are two kinds of bag, which have each been designed to withstand the demands of the different collection services, either Collect+ drop off or local council kerbside.
It is very important that the aluminium and plastic pods that you collect reach our recycling partners, and our recycling bags have been designed to ensure this happens.
There are over 6,000 Collect+ locations across the UK where you can drop off your Podback bags.
Your nearest Collect+ location can be found by entering your postcode here https://www.collectplus.yodel.co.uk/store-locator/
Every Podback bag you return through Collect+ needs a unique label / barcode.
To get a label to return a bag of aluminium pods please click here: FREE Podback Aluminium Returns | Collect+ delivered by Yodel
To get a label to return a bag of aluminium pods please click here: FREE Podback Plastic Returns | Collect+ delivered by Yodel
If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you cannot put them in the same bag, you will need to use separate bags. This is so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility.
You can put any Podback member brand’s pods in the appropriate bag.
You should use a green Podback bag marked P for plastic coffee pods. You should use a white bag marked A for aluminium coffee pods.
If you are unsure what material your pods are made from please check on the packaging.
Only if they are made of the same material.
If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you cannot put them in the same bag, you will need to use separate bags. This is so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility.
You should use a green Podback bag marked P for plastic coffee pods or a white Podback bag marked A for aluminium coffee pods.
Aluminium and plastic pods must be collected separately so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. This is why the bags for each material are different colours: white for aluminium pods and green for plastic pods. We are able to identify which bags you need from the type of coffee pod machine and/or the brand of pods that you use.
Kerbside
If you live in an area with a kerbside service you will receive a supply of bags and instructions on how to use the service once you have signed up.
You can find out if kerbside is available in your area by clicking here to search for your postcode. You will then be able to create an account and order free recycling bags. You will be sent two rolls of bags (52 bags) and instructions on how to recycle your aluminium or plastic coffee pods.
The quantity of pods will depend on the brand of pods you use.
Please fill the recycling bag to the dotted line, ensuring used pods are drained of any liquid.
This depends on the service in your local authority area. Once you have signed up for the service you will receive instructions for using the kerbside service along with your supply of recycling bags.
Please also check the guidance provided by your council - there will be a Podback page on their website with the latest information.
We are working to increase the number of councils offering kerbside collections, but the set up and roll out of these services will take time. In the meantime please use our Drop Off collection service. To find out more about this service click here.
There is no need to empty your pods, but please drain any remaining liquid from them before putting them in your recycling bag.
The coffee grains are removed at the recycling facility and treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
You can watch our short film which explains how pods are recycled by Podback.
No. Please only use the bags you are supplied with for the kerbside recycling service. The drop-off bags have been designed to withstand the various stages of the logistics system from drop-off to the reprocessor. This is not a requirement for kerbside collections.
If you have received a drop-off bag, perhaps with a new machine or with a pod order, you could pass it on to a friend or family member who is not able to recycle at the kerbside.
No. To take part in the Podback kerbside recycling collection scheme you must use the recycling bags provided for free by Podback.
The Podback kerbside bags help local authority crews identify the bags quickly and put them in the relevant container on the collection vehicle. It also helps them to be sorted for reprocessing more easily.
To check if the kerbside service is available in your area, and to order bags, please click here.
Please contact us and we will remove your details from our database.
Your bags will then be sent to you by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7 - 10 working days.
The following local authorities provide a Podback kerbside collection service.
To find out more about how the Podback service works in these areas click on the Council's name, this will take you to their website:
Residents in Podback kerbside areas can set up an online account and reorder recycling bags through this website.
To create your account please enter your postcode on the recycle checker, and then follow the steps to create your account. Your bags will be sent by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7-10 working days.
If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you cannot put them in the same bag, you will need to use separate bags. This is so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. You can request both types of bag through your online account.
Log into your online account and update your chosen coffee pod brand, and you will receive additional recycling bags for that pod material. (Please note you will need to wait 24 hours before updating your preferences).
Please use the green bags for plastic coffee pods and the white bag for aluminium coffee pods. You can put any Podback member brand’s pods in the appropriate bag.
If you live in a flat or use a shared bin you can still recycle your pods. Please contact your local authority to find out more about the collection arrangements.
- Cheltenham Borough Council
- Chichester District Council
- City of Wolverhampton Council
- Conwy County Borough Council
- Exeter City Council
- Horsham District Council
- Ipswich Borough Council
- Oxford City Council
- South Derbyshire District Council
- London Borough of Waltham Forest
If you cannot access a kerbside service, find out other ways to recycle your pods.
If the kerbside service is available in your area your local authority will accept the drop off bag as a one-off; but we ask you to sign up for the free service and you will then receive a supply of bags for recycling your pods through this service in the future.
Alternatively, you could give the bag to a friend or family member who isn't able to recycle at the kerbside, and encourage them to recycle their pods!
Podback uses different types of bags depending on the collection service – kerbside or drop off through Yodel/Collect+. The bags have been designed to withstand the demands of the collection system, and the drop-off bags are made of more durable material to ensure the bags pods arrive safely at the reprocessor. The bags collected at the kerbside are bulked up on the collection vehicle and stored at the council's depot ready for transport direct to the reprocessor.
When you first sign up for kerbside recycling you will be sent two rolls of bags. There are 26 recycling bags per roll. This is typically sufficient to last a household for six months.
Recycling Bags
This is because we have to collect aluminium and plastic pods separately, and also because there are two different collection systems: Kerbside and Drop-off.
Aluminium and plastic pods must be collected separately so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. This is why the bags for each material are different colours: white for aluminium pods and green for plastic pods.
From your home to the recycling facility we have to ensure the pods can be stored, transported and processed effectively. We have designed the bags to keep the materials separate and suit the demands of both. The different coloured bags help our collection crews and logistics partners to easily identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant bulk storage container at the depot, ready for transportation to the reprocessor.
All of the recycling bags are recycled by a facility in East Yorkshire which specialises in recycling flexible plastics, such as food wrappers and films.
There is no need to empty your pods, but please drain any remaining liquid from them before putting them in your recycling bag.
Coffee grains are removed at the recycling facility, and treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Click here to watch our short film which shows how your pods are recycled
Podback uses different types of bags depending on the collection service – kerbside or drop off. The bags must be able to store used pods in the home without leaking, and then must be able to withstand the demands of the journey they from your household to the reprocessing plant.
The bags supplied by Podback for both the kerbside and drop off services are fully recyclable. They are baled by the reprocessor and sent to a facility in East Yorkshire which specialises in recycling flexible plastics, such as food wrappers and films. The facility produces plastic pellets which are used in a wide range of manufacturing industries.
The number of pods your Podback bag will hold will depend on the brand of pods you use
Please fill the recycling bag up to the dotted line, and ensure the used pods are drained of any liquid.
No. Used pods will only be accepted in Podback bags.
There are two kinds of bag, which have each been designed to withstand the demands of the different collection services, either Collect+ drop off or local council kerbside.
It is very important that the aluminium and plastic pods that you collect reach our recycling partners, and our recycling bags have been designed to ensure this happens.
Environmental Impact
- Coffee is a very personal taste and Podback believes that every consumer should have the choice to drink it in their favourite way, whether this is through instant, roasted, ground or more recently pods. Podback is focused on making this choice for consumers as sustainable as possible by offering them an easy way to recycle their coffee pods.
- Nespresso has conducted life cycle analysis studies of different types of coffee, which show that that one of the biggest environmental impacts comes from the way it is prepared. These studies show that coffee pods are more sustainable compared to other methods, because they only use the exact amount of coffee beans, water and energy required to brew one cup.
- However, Podback knows that more needs to be done to ensure that all pod packaging is captured and recycled, which is exactly why Podback has been launched.
Minimising the carbon footprint of the service is very important to us and we are working with our partners to ensure the service is as efficient as possible.
This is because we have to collect aluminium and plastic pods separately, and also because there are two different collection systems: Kerbside and Drop-off.
Aluminium and plastic pods must be collected separately so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. This is why the bags for each material are different colours: white for aluminium pods and green for plastic pods.
From your home to the recycling facility we have to ensure the pods can be stored, transported and processed effectively. We have designed the bags to keep the materials separate and suit the demands of both. The different coloured bags help our collection crews and logistics partners to easily identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant bulk storage container at the depot, ready for transportation to the reprocessor.
All of the recycling bags are recycled by a facility in East Yorkshire which specialises in recycling flexible plastics, such as food wrappers and films.
Council Recycling Centres
All aluminium and plastic pods from participating brands: Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CruKafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee and Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee are accepted and can be recycled through the Podback programme. This includes coffee, hot chocolate and tea pods.
No, the different types of pods must be kept separate so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. At the Recycling Centre there are two different containers which are clearly marked 'Plastic' and 'Aluminium'. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods please save these separately and empty them into the correct container.
No, this isn’t necessary. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods at the reprocessor. The coffee is then used as a soil improver and to create renewable energy.
Simply collect and store your pods at home until you’re ready to take them to the recycling centre (Household Waste & Recycling Centre). The Podback containers for Aluminium and Plastic pods will be clearly signed. Simply empty your pods loose (don’t bag them) into the appropriate container. Please only put pods into the containers, we can’t accept empty bags or product packaging.
Yes, you can recycle any type of Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CruKafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee and Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee drinks pods. This includes hot chocolate and tea pods.
No, please only put your loose pods into the containers. Empty bags and other packaging could mean the pods cannot be recycled due to contamination. Bags and product packaging should be reused, disposed of or recycled using the relevant local facilities. Please check with your local authority for details of how to recycle these items.
My Podback Account
Your bags will then be sent to you by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7 - 10 working days.
Residents in Podback kerbside areas can set up an online account and reorder recycling bags through this website.
To create your account please enter your postcode on the recycle checker, and then follow the steps to create your account. Your bags will be sent by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7-10 working days.
This depends on the service in your local authority area. Once you have signed up for the service you will receive instructions for using the kerbside service along with your supply of recycling bags.
Please also check the guidance provided by your council - there will be a Podback page on their website with the latest information.
Please contact us and we will ensure that your details are updated.
Please contact us and we will remove your details from our database.
If you live in an area with a kerbside service you will receive a supply of bags and instructions on how to use the service once you have signed up.
You can find out if kerbside is available in your area by clicking here to search for your postcode. You will then be able to create an account and order free recycling bags. You will be sent two rolls of bags (52 bags) and instructions on how to recycle your aluminium or plastic coffee pods.
When you first sign up for kerbside recycling you will be sent two rolls of bags. There are 26 recycling bags per roll. This is typically sufficient to last a household for six months.