New kerbside coffee pod recycling service comes to the Lancaster district

Monday, 30 October 2023 11:54

Lancaster City Council is launching a new scheme to help residents to recycle used coffee pods.

The new coffee pod recycling service, in partnership with Podback, a not-for-profit recycling service, supports the council’s commitment to reducing waste, increasing recycling, saving resources and giving materials a second life.

Residents will be able to recycle their plastic and aluminium coffee pods at home by signing up for free on the Podback website.

They will then be provided with two rolls of Podback recycling bags (26 bags or six months’ supply) along with instructions on how to use the service. When bags are full, residents simply put them out for collection on top of one of their recycling containers on their normal recycling collection day.

Councillor Joanne Ainscough, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “We are really excited about introducing coffee pod recycling to our kerbside recycling collection service. This scheme makes it easy and convenient for residents to participate at home, allowing coffee pod users to enjoy their coffee knowing their pods will be recycled here in the UK.”

Podback Executive Director, Rick Hindley says: “We know that the most convenient way for people to recycle their coffee pods is as part of their council’s regular recycling collection service, so we are excited to be working with Lancaster City Council to make that happen.

“Recycling with Podback means tonnes of used pods will be removed from the waste stream, and the materials will be recycled in the UK1.”

Once collected, the coffee pods will be sent to specialist recycling plants. The plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products, including packaging, car components and building products, while the coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to create soil improver and renewable energy2.

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