Podback has installed its 200th drop-off point at a local authority recycling centre. The growing network of drop-off points is proving to be a popular option for residents, alongside options at supermarkets and coffee shops.
The latest partnership with Bristol Waste has seen drop-off points installed at three recycling centres (also known as Household Waste Recycling Centres, or HWRCs) located across the city; at St Philip’s, Hartcliffe Way and Avonmouth. The sites are now live, and a promotional campaign is underway, including free Podback caddies for the first residents to use the service at each of the three sites.
The expansion of drop-off points at recycling centres is an important element of Podback’s strategy to offer recyclers a range of convenient options to drop off their pods. The simplified collection process removes the need to use special Podback bags to collect pods: residents can simply save them in any bag or container and tip them loose into the Podback container when they are at the HWRC. Podback funds the service, which includes providing collection containers and signage, as well as logistics and marketing support. Setting up the service typically takes six weeks.
In addition to the expansion into recycling centres, Podback has established partnerships with national retailers: The roll-out of drop-off points in more than 400 Morrisons supermarkets nationwide is nearing completion and a partnership with Asda, which launched in January this year, has so far seen over 44,000 bags returned through the Asda toYou parcel service.
Podback Executive Director Rick Hindley says: “The installation of our 200th local authority recycling centre service is a significant milestone in the expansion of Podback’s nationwide drop-off network. We have an active pipeline of authorities interested in adding Podback to their HWRCs, and these new partnerships with local authorities are key to our strategy of providing coffee-lovers with convenient local options for dropping off their pods as part of their regular routine.”
Through Podback, plastic and aluminium pods are recycled in the UK. The coffee grounds are transformed by anaerobic digestion into renewable energy and soil improver, with the aluminium and plastic from the used pods being used in the manufacture of products such as drinks cans, building products and industrial packaging.
Customers can find their nearest recycling point and order free recycling bags by using the online Recycle Checker and interactive map: https://www.podback.org/recycle-checker.
Our photo shows (L-R) Will French, Podback Head of Operations, Richard Williams Managing Director for Bristol Waste, and Sarah Burns, Sustainability and Engagement Manager for Bristol Waste.