Costa and Podback trial in-store coffee pod recycling

The trial will offer coffee pod recycling in 142 Costa Coffee stores across the country. Customers will be able to pick up free Podback recycling bags in-store and return them once full.

All 133 Costa Coffee cafes within Tesco and nine branches in the Swindon will be offering the scheme and will accept both plastic and aluminium pods from any Podback member brands – including Costa Coffee pods for Nespresso, Tassimo and NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machines.

After recycling the aluminium is used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components, and the plastic is used in the manufacture of a range of items, including packaging crates and building products. The used coffee grounds are treated by anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

The aluminium pods are recycled in Cheshire, and plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire.

The rollout of the trial began in August and builds on Costa’s existing in-house pod recycling scheme. It is the first UK coffee chain to collaborate with Podback.

Rick Hindley, executive director of Podback, said: “This trial gives Podback customers the opportunity to drop off their used pods at local Costa Coffee stores, a response to customer feedback telling us people want a choice of ways to recycle that fit with their daily lives.

“We are excited to be working with Costa Coffee and Tesco to make this a reality in more than 140 locations across the country. We are sure Podback customers will welcome the new service, and hope that it is the first step to rolling out more drop-off locations throughout the UK.”

Liz Higgins, head of sustainability at Costa Coffee, added: “We are always looking for new ways to make it easier for our customers to recycle our packaging. Through this trial with Podback, in-store drop-off points will offer coffee pod users the chance to conveniently recycle their pods with us – whether they are Costa branded or not.

“The new front-of-house recycling units will be supported by increased messaging in store, which we hope will act as a reminder to customers when visiting our participating stores.

“The trial will allow us to gather valuable customer feedback and insights, which we will use to enhance our future recycling solutions for pods, cups, and other packaging materials.”