Podback

Register for the door-to-door service through the website to order your FREE recycling bags.

Our Podback team will deliver a roll of recycling bags and an instructional leaflet to your door, plus a caddy if you use NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto coffee pods. These will be used for recycling your aluminium OR plastic coffee pods.

There are two different bags, a white one for aluminium and a green one for plastic. Aluminium and plastic pods MUST be kept separate so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility.

Fill your bag as instructed and then request a collection online.

Your bags will be delivered within 5-10 working days following registration. Once you have your bags, you can start using them straight away. Simply follow the instructions and when they’re full, request a collection online.

Currently there are 11 brands supporting the scheme: Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CRU Kafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee and Pret a Manger. Together these brands represent over three quarters of the UK market.

Podback’s ambition is to expand the programme to include all coffee pod brands using plastic or aluminium pods in the UK.

Podback’s mission is to create simple and easy ways to recycle coffee pods, whatever the brand.

Currently, there are 11 brands involved in Podback and we’re keen to expand the programme so that there is a single system for pod lovers to use across the UK. We’re in active discussions about Podback membership with more brands and retailers, so that every part of the coffee pod sector is involved in the programme.

All aluminium and plastic pods from participating brands can be recycled with Podback: Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CRU Kafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee and Pret a Manger are accepted and can be recycled through the Podback programme. This includes coffee, hot chocolate and tea pods.

Yes, you can recycle any type of pods from the following brands: Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CRU Kafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee and Pret a Manger. This includes 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. There are two different bags, a white one for aluminium pods and a green one for plastic pods.

If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you should request both types of bags when you register for the recycling service.

No, please do not place the packaging your pods came in inside the collection bags. Check how to recycle your waste by visiting What goes in my bins.

These pods tend to hold more liquid. When you register for the Podback service you’ll be asked which brand of pods you use so the correct recycling bags can be sent to you. NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto users will be sent a drainage caddy with their bags. The caddies enable excess liquid to drain more easily and help users to store pods between collections. Full instructions are provided with the caddy.

Simply transfer the pods to the recycling bag when they are ready for collection.

Yes, please email podback@wolverhampton.gov.uk and we will arrange for a replacement caddy to be delivered to you.

Once your bags are full, please book a collection online and you will then be provided with details of your collection day and where to leave your bag(s).

No, the coffee grounds are removed from the pods at the reprocessor. The coffee is then treated by anaerobic digestion which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

Please drain any remaining liquid from your used pods before adding it to your recycling bag.

Top tips for used coffee grounds that may be left over in your machine

• Simply pop your spent coffee grounds in a little pot and place in your fridge to help capture all those unwelcome odours and smells.
• Feed hungry plants by either adding to your compost heap or placing on top of the soil, which helps keep those pesky little slugs, snails and ants at bay.

We can collect as many bags as you want. You will need to book a collection online and you will be asked for this information as part of the booking process. Should you run out of bags, you can request more online.

You will need to register in order to get the bags. You will then be sent a roll of bags, plus a caddy if you use NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto coffee pods, for recycling your aluminium or plastic coffee pods. If you require more bags, you can order them online.

You can order more door-to-door collection bags online.

The quantity of pods will depend on the brand of pods you use. Follow the instructions on the bag and fill it to the dotted line ensuring they are drained of any liquid.

No. To take part in the Podback door to door recycling collection scheme you must use the recycling bags provided for free by our Podback team. Please register and order door-to-door bags via the website.

Yes. If you live in a flat or communal property you can recycle used coffee pods at Podback collection points located at the Shaw Road and Anchor Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips). You can also use the Drop Off service, which allows you to drop off filled bags to your nearest Collect+ store. To order your free recycling bag visit the ways to recycle section of the Podback website.

If you request a Drop Off service, you will be sent a Collect+ recycling bag specifically for this type of collection. Collect+ bags are free; however, a delivery charge may be applied. Please follow the instructions on the Podback website.

If your bag(s) haven’t been collected on the agreed day, please email podback@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

Yes. You can recycle used coffee pods at Podback collection points located at the Shaw Road and Anchor Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips). Pods will be collected loose in two dedicated Podback collection containers, one for aluminium and the other for plastic. These containers will be clearly branded with Podback signage.

Simply collect and store your pods at home until you’re ready to take them to the 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.

All aluminium and plastic pods from participating brands: Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CRU Kafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee and Pret a Manger are accepted and can be recycled through the Podback programme. This includes coffee, hot chocolate and tea pods.

Yes, you can recycle any type of pods from the following brands: Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L’OR, CRU Kafe, Artisan Coffee Co, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee and Pret a Manger. This includes 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, 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 how to recycle your waste by visiting What goes in my bins?

No, this isn’t necessary. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods by the reprocessor. The coffee is then used as a soil improver and to create renewable energy. 

The Drop Off recycling returns system has been in place for some years with the individual coffee brands.

Podback has been created in partnership with the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo to develop a single, simple and easy to use recycling system across the UK. Podback is working with City of Wolverhampton to expand the existing recycling collections to include coffee pods.

Door to door collections

To use the door-to-door collection service residents, need to register and order door-to-door recycling bags online.

No other types of bags should be used for this collection.

Aluminium and plastic coffee pods need to be kept separate as they are reprocessed at different facilities. The bags have been designed so that you can tie them easily to contain the pods and help the Podback collection team identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant container at the depot ready for reprocessing.

When full, you need to book a collection online.

Drop off

To use the Drop Off service residents must order Collect+ bags from a Podback member brand or supporting retailer. More information on how to get a back is available on the Podback website

These bags have been designed so that they can be easily sealed to prevent leaks when being returned via Collect+.

Collect+ bags are free; however, a delivery charge may be applied. Please follow the instructions on the Podback website.

Please be aware – these bags cannot be used for door to door collections.

Return to store

For residents who use Nespresso coffee pods you can pick up a Nespresso recycling bag and drop these off at all Nespresso Boutique stores.

Use the boutique locator to find your nearest store

After collection, the coffee pods are taken to specialist reprocessing plants in the UK. The coffee grounds are removed, then the plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products, including beverage cans, car components, building products or plastic garden furniture. The coffee grounds are processed by anaerobic digestion, which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

The recycling process takes place in the UK, so your pod doesn’t have to travel far before it’s transformed into something new. Aluminium pods are reprocessed at Tandom Metallurgical Group Ltd. in Congleton, near Stoke-on-Trent. Plastic pods are reprocessed by Bright Green Plastics in West Yorkshire.

Podback uses different types of bags depending on the collection service – door to door collection 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 make from your household to the reprocessing plant.

The bags supplied by Podback for aluminium pods (Collect +) and door to door 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 Collect +, 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.

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 by using 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.

Door to door collections - There are two different bags, a white one for aluminium and green one for plastic. Aluminium and plastic pods MUST be kept separate so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. The bags help the Podback collection team identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant container at the depot ready for reprocessing.

Drop Off collections using Collect+ - There are two different Collect+ bags, a white one for aluminium and a green one for plastic. Aluminium and plastic pods MUST be kept separate so that they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. These have been designed with special seals to prevent any liquid leaking out when they are sent through the Collect+ system.

The carbon footprint of the service is very important to us. We are working with Podback and partners to ensure the service is as efficient as possible.

Simply email podback@wolverhampton.gov.uk and we will ensure that your details are removed from the Podback register. We will let you know what to do with any spare bags and your drainage caddy, if you have been provided with one.