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Podback

Recycle your coffee pods with Podback

Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit, coffee pod recycling service. Created by the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple and easy ways to recycle them.

Gloucester City Council is working with Podback to provide this new free recycling service, helping you to recycle your pods (coffee, tea and hot chocolate) at home.

Leaflets (PDF, 107 KB) were posted to all households during the summer. 

How to get started

It’s easy to start recycling your pods, simply follow the steps below:

  1. Sign up and order your FREE recycling bags from Podback Follow the online instructions to create your personal Podback account.
  2. Podback will send you two rolls of recycling bags, along with an instruction leaflet.  Each roll contains 13 bags for recycling your aluminium or plastic coffee pods.  Bags are sent by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7 - 10 working days.
  3. Once you have your bags, fill them as instructed.
  4. Place the bag(s) on the lid of your recycling box by 7am on your normal collection day.
  5. When you need to top up your supply of recycling bags you can log into your Podback account on the website and reorder

Sign up to Podback

I live in a flat, can I still participate in the scheme?

Yes. 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.

What types of coffee pods can be recycled?

Plastic and aluminium pods for coffee, tea, hot chocolate and milk should be recycled using Podback collection bags. 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.

Aluminium coffee pods: 

    

 

Plastic coffee pods

 

 

What happens to the pods once 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, car components, plastic garden furniture and building products. The coffee grounds are used to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver. Find out more by watching our video

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our FAQs (PDF 328.7KB) to find out more about the Podback scheme.