Frequently asked questions

There are Podback recycling points in supermarkets and at local authority recycling centres across the UK.  In addition, some local authorities offer Podback as part of their kerbside recycling service.

Just enter your pod details and your postcode in our Recycle Checker and our interactive map will show you the drop-off points in your area. Click on your chosen location for more details on how to recycle there. 

If you need to use a Podback bag for your chosen drop-off service, you will be able to create an account with us and order your free bags.

Click here to use the Recycle Checker and start recycling your pods

Your pods will be recycled here in the UK. 

The bags of aluminium and plastic pods are taken to East Yorkshire where they are shredded to remove the coffee. The plastic and aluminium are then sent to specialist recycling plants.

Aluminium pods are recycled in South Wales.  They are melted and used in the manufacture of drink cans and car components. 

Plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire. They turned into pellets which are used to make a variety of durable products, including building materials and packaging crates. 

The coffee grounds are taken to a food waste recycling plant in South Yorkshire.  Here they are processed to become renewable energy (biogas) to power businesses and homes using a process called anaerobic digestion.  The by-product of the process is a nutrient-rich biofertiliser, which is supplied to local farmers for use as a soil improver.

Podback bags are also recycled by a specialist plastic film recycling company in East Yorkshire.

You can watch a video of the recycling journey of your coffee pods on our YouTube channel. 

You can watch a video of the recycling journey of your coffee pods on our YouTube channel. 

• Start by putting your pod details and postcode into our Recycle Checker.  
• You will then be shown the local options for recycling.  If this is a kerbside service through your local authority, follow the steps to sign up and order your recycling bags.
• If you see the Podback map, click on your chosen recycling location for more details on how to recycle.
• In the information box onscreen there will be a link to 'get a bag'  and from there you can start setting up your account.
• You will need to create a password, and complete an email verification step
• You will then be able to log in to your account and order your Podback bags.

First of all, please use our Recycle Checker to find your nearest local drop-off point. Click on your chosen location for more details on how to recycle, and to find out if you need a bag. 

To use a drop-off point at a supermarket you will need a Podback bag. 
These are available to order from Podback - click on the link from our interactive map and follow the instructions to create your Podback account. 

Other ways to get Podback bags for drop-off:

• When you buy pods online from most Podback member brands,
• At the customer services desk in Morrisons Supermarkets
• From your barista at Costa Coffee in Tesco*,  and
• Online at Ocado.com

You do not need a Podback bag to recycle at your local council recycling centre.
Just save your pods in any bag or container. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods, please keep these separate. When you’re ready to recycle simply tip your pods loose into the relevant Podback container at the recycling centre.

If your council offers a kerbside collection of coffee pods
You will be offered this service once you have completed the Recycle Checker. Follow the instructions to sign up and order your bags.

Click here to complete the Recycle Checker and start recycling your pods

*For a limited period only

Podback is a free coffee pod recycling service. Our mission is to make pod recycling easy and convenient for lovers of pod coffee. 

There are Podback recycling points in supermarkets and at local authority recycling centres across the UK.  In addition, some local authorities offer Podback as part of their kerbside recycling service. 

• The first step is to enter your pod details and postcode in our Recycle Checker.
  Our interactive map will show you the local supermarkets and council recycling centres where you can drop-off your pods.
• Click on your chosen drop-off point for more details on how to recycle. 
  Depending on the type of drop-off location you choose you may need to get a Podback recycling bag.
• If you need a bag,  follow the link on the map to create an account and order your bags. 
• If your Council provides Podback as part of a kerbside recycling service you will be able to sign up for this once you have entered your details in the Recycle Checker.

Click here to use the Recycle Checker and start recycling your pods!

First of all, please use our Recycle Checker to find your nearest local drop-off point. Click on your chosen location for more details on how to recycle, and to find out if you need a bag. 

To use a drop-off point at a supermarket you will need a Podback bag. 
These are available to order from Podback - click on the link from our interactive map and follow the instructions to create your Podback account. 

Other ways to get Podback bags for drop-off:

• When you buy pods online from most Podback member brands,
• At the customer services desk in Morrisons Supermarkets
• From your barista at Costa Coffee in Tesco*,  and
• Online at Ocado.com

You do not need a Podback bag to recycle at your local council recycling centre.
Just save your pods in any bag or container. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods, please keep these separate. When you’re ready to recycle simply tip your pods loose into the relevant Podback container at the recycling centre.

If your council offers a kerbside collection of coffee pods
You will be offered this service once you have completed the Recycle Checker. Follow the instructions to sign up and order your bags.

Click here to complete the Recycle Checker and start recycling your pods

*For a limited period only

Yes you can!  Podback collects and recycles plastic and aluminium pods sold by our member brands.  This includes coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate pods. 

This will be because that brand isn't a member of Podback.

The service was created, and is funded, by coffee pod brands to provide a free recycling service for their customers.  

If your favourite pod brand isn't a member of Podback, why not get in touch and suggest they join our mission to ensure every pod enjoyed, is recycled? 

We'd be happy to give them more information and welcome them!

Not yet, but we're working on it!

Currently our focus is on making pod recycling easy and convenient for households across the UK.  However we are looking at ways that we could offer the service to businesses and hope to have more details soon. 

There are Podback drop-off points at supermarkets and recycling centres across the UK.

Use our Recycle Checker to tell us what pods you are using and your postcode, and our interactive map will show you the ways to recycle in your area.

Click on your chosen location for details on how to recycle at your chosen location.

If you need to order Podback bags follow the instructions in the white text box to create your Podback account and order your free recycling bags.

If your local authority offers a kerbside collection of pods, you will be able to sign up for this once you have completed the Recycle Checker.

Click here to get started.

To find out more about the Podback member brands please click here.  

No! There's no need to scoop out your pods, but please drain them of any remaining liquid before putting them in your Podback bag.

When you recycle with Podback the coffee grounds are recovered and sent for recycling along with other food wastes. They are transformed into renewable energy (biogas) for the National Grid and a soil improver for agriculture. 

Click here to watch our short film which shows how your pods are recycled

Yes, you can as long as they are made of the same material. If you're not sure, check on the pod packaging for information about what your pods are made of.

If you need a different type of Podback bag the easiest thing to do is create a second account with us, using a different email.

If you change your machine or the brand of pod you use, just log in to your account and in the 'Coffee details' section click 'edit' so that we can send you a new supply of bags.

Currently, Podback is only available within the UK, including Northern Ireland. 

We are not currently able to offer the service in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

• Start by putting your pod details and postcode into our Recycle Checker.  
• You will then be shown the local options for recycling.  If this is a kerbside service through your local authority, follow the steps to sign up and order your recycling bags.
• If you see the Podback map, click on your chosen recycling location for more details on how to recycle.
• In the information box onscreen there will be a link to 'get a bag'  and from there you can start setting up your account.
• You will need to create a password, and complete an email verification step
• You will then be able to log in to your account and order your Podback bags.

To update your address please log-in to your account, and click 'Close my account'. 

You can then create an account with your new details.

If you have any problems with this process please Click here to contact us

Verification codes are sent to your email and are valid for 15 minutes.
Please refresh your Inbox and check your Junk/Spam folder. 

If you code does not arrive you can request a new code

Yes, you can as long as they are made of the same material. If you're not sure, check on the pod packaging for information about what your pods are made of.

If you need a different type of Podback bag the easiest thing to do is create a second account with us, using a different email.

If you change your machine or the brand of pod you use, just log in to your account and in the 'Coffee details' section click 'edit' so that we can send you a new supply of bags.

Please log in to your Podback account and click 'edit' in the 'Coffee Details' section. You will then be able to update your information. 

If you need to place an order for a different type of Podback bag, you will be able to do this once your details have been updated. 

Please contact our customer services team if you need any assistance with updating your details.

Take your Podback bag to the toYou point in Asda. These blue dropboxes and are usually located in the entrance, or near the customer service desk.

 At the dropbox you will need to generate a label for each bag.

• Use the touch screen to choose Podback from the A-Z list of brands. 
• Select either 'Podback Plastic' or 'Podback Aluminium' 
• You will be asked to confirm that your bag is correctly sealed.  Please press Y to confirm that you have used the grip seal and adhesive strip.
• The machine will then print your returns label.
• Stick the label on your bag, and then place your bag in the unit. 

If you have any problems with the unit, or there is no drop-box at your chosen Asda, please take your bag to the Customer Services kiosk.  The Asda team will be able to generate your label using their hand-held toYou terminal.

You don't need a Podback bag to recycle at a local authority recycling centre.

• Save your pods in any bag or container.
• If you use pods made from different materials please keep aluminium and plastic pods separate.
• At the recycling centre there will be Podback containers, just tip your pods loose into the relevant container.

No. Please do not use kerbside bags for recycling pods in stores. 

The drop-off bags have been designed to withstand the various stages of the logistics process, from the drop-off point to the reprocessor.  So it is important that only Podback drop-off bags are used for this service.  

Before sealing your bag please drain out any remaining liquid, then squeeze out as much air as possible. Then seal your bag using both the grip seal and the adhesive strip. 

Just drop your sealed Podback bag in the dedicated Podback recycling point in Morrisons.  These are usually located near the entrance, or in the checkout aea. 

You can pick up a new Podback bag at the customer services desk.

Please follow the onscreen instructions to zoom in and get details of our returns service.  If you need assistance with this please contact the Podback Customer Services team and provide your postcode. 

A growing number of local authorities accept pods at their local household waste and recycling centres. The Recycle Checker will tell you if this is available in your area, and provide instructions on how to recycle.

We are working to increase the number of local authority recycling centres where you can recycle with Podback, so please keep checking back to find out if this service becomes available. 

Local Council service: Please contact your local council's waste and recycling team to notify them of any missed collections. 

Nespresso Royal Mail service: You will need to report missed collections through Nespresso customer services. This is not a Podback service. 

Please enter your details on the recycle checker, if your local council offers a Podback service follow the instructions to sign up and order your free recycling bags.

Your order will include two rolls of bags (26 bags in total) and further instructions on how the service works.

Bags are sent by Royal Mail and usually arrive within 10 working days.

Please note: If you originally signed up for the kerbside service before January 2023 you will need to create an online account to order more bags for kerbside collections. 

Podback and Costa Coffee are currently trialling a service where customers will be able to pick up a Podback bag from their barista, and drop filled Podback bags back for recycling.
We hope that the trial will be extended to more Costa cafes later in the year.

Podback’s service is funded by most, but not all, coffee pod brands sold in the UK. This includes Costa Coffee pods for Nespresso, Tassimo and NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machines.

Plese click here for a full list of Podback member brands.

We are currently trialling the Podback service in selected branches of Costa Coffee.  We'll review the customer feedback and insights we receive, in addition to the number of pods collected, to help evaluate its success.

Currently it is only possible to pick up and drop off Podback bags at selected branches of Costa Coffee, including all Costa in Tesco cafes. 
You can find details of which cafes are involved here https://podback.org/store-locator/costa-coffee 

Yes, you can still hand in the red Costa capsule recycling bags at any Costa Coffee store, including the ones participating in the Podback trial.
You can find details of Costa Coffee stores participating in the Podback trial here: https://podback.org/store-locator/costa-coffee

Please only use either a Costa or a Podback pod recycling bag to return your pods for recycling.  You can ask your barista for a bag.

Please only use a Podback bag to save your pods. Your barista will not be able to accept pods in other bags.  
The aluminium and plastic pods are recycled at different sites, and so the different coloured bags help to easily identify the pods so they go to the correct recycling facility.  
Please fill the bag to the dotted line, and follow the instructions to drain and seal your bag before bringing it back for recycling.

Your pods will be recycled here in the UK. 

The bags of aluminium and plastic pods are taken to East Yorkshire where they are shredded to remove the coffee. The plastic and aluminium are then sent to specialist recycling plants.

Aluminium pods are recycled in South Wales.  They are melted and used in the manufacture of drink cans and car components. 

Plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire. They turned into pellets which are used to make a variety of durable products, including building materials and packaging crates. 

The coffee grounds are taken to a food waste recycling plant in South Yorkshire.  Here they are processed to become renewable energy (biogas) to power businesses and homes using a process called anaerobic digestion.  The by-product of the process is a nutrient-rich biofertiliser, which is supplied to local farmers for use as a soil improver.

Podback bags are also recycled by a specialist plastic film recycling company in East Yorkshire.

You can watch a video of the recycling journey of your coffee pods on our YouTube channel. 

You can watch a video of the recycling journey of your coffee pods on our YouTube channel. 

Coffee grounds are recovered when the pods are shredded.  They are sent for recycling along with other food waste, using a process called anaerobic digestion. 

This process uses bacteria to transform the food into biogas, which is supplied to the National Grid. The by-product of the process is an organic fertiliser which is used as a soil improver for agriculture.

Pods are recycled here in the UK.

Coffee grounds are sent to a food waste recycler in South Yorkshire
Aluminium pods are recycled in South Wales. 
Plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire.
Podback bags are recycled in East Yorkshire.