Wrexham County Borough Council in the UK has partnered with Podback to introduce a coffee pod recycling programme at its recycling centres.  

This initiative allows residents to recycle their used aluminium and plastic coffee pods at the Bryn Lane, Brymbo, and Plas Madoc centres, marking a step towards sustainable waste management. 

Residents can now collect and store used coffee, tea, and hot chocolate pods at home and bring them to these designated recycling centres.  

There, the pods should be deposited loose into the clearly signed Podback containers, without bags or other packaging. 

The process requires that plastic and aluminium pods be collected separately due to their different recycling requirements.  

Once collected, all pods are recycled within the country.  

The materials are shredded to separate the coffee from the aluminium and plastic, which are then repurposed into new products such as packaging, car components, and building materials. 

The residual coffee grounds from the pods undergo anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy in the form of biogas, as well as soil improver.  

Podback executive director Rick Hindley said: “It’s great to be able to expand the Podback service to Wrexham’s recycling centres. We want to make coffee pod recycling as easy as possible, and this new service enables residents to drop off pods when convenient, alongside other recyclables, and helping to reduce waste and increase recycling.” 

Podback is a non-profit service established by leading coffee pod systems, including NESCAFE Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, and Nespresso, and is supported by more than 25 coffee pod brands and national retailers. 

Wrexham County Borough Council councillor and Environment lead member Terry Evans said: “We’re really excited to be working with Podback to introduce another recycling stream at the recycling centres for our residents. Coffee drinkers can now enjoy their coffee knowing their pods can be recycled and go on to be made into new products, renewable energy and soil improver.” 

Earlier in September this year, Costa Coffee teamed up with Podback to launch a coffee pod recycling trial in the UK. 

The partners will be offering a coffee pod recycling service in 142 Costa stores across the country.