Hounslow Council has today launched a new service to help residents to recycle used coffee pods and to encourage more sustainable behaviours.
Published: Monday, 13th November 2023
This makes Hounslow the third borough in London to roll out the service, and the first local authority in west London.
The new coffee pod recycling service launches in partnership with Podback – a not-for-profit recycling organisation – and supports the Council’s aims to reduce waste, increase recycling, save resources, and give materials a second life.
Residents will be able to recycle their plastic or aluminium coffee pods at home by signing up for free on the Podback website.
Councillor Guy Lambert, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Health Integration, said: “We’re excited to be working with Podback, and will be collaborating to ensure residents can enjoy a smooth rollout of the service. And with the reassurance that their used pods will be recycled here in the UK.
“The Council’s new initiative is a completely free service – and is fully funded by Podback – so residents can sign up at no extra cost.
“As a Council we are serious about providing innovative solutions that can support our residents to behave more sustainably and this initiative is another step in the right direction.”
Dan Smyth, Director of Recycling & Sustainability at Lampton Services, says: “We are delighted to be supporting Hounslow Council in driving forward the borough's sustainability agenda by introducing innovative new recycling solutions. By expanding our offering with the launch of the new coffee pod recycling service, we are putting Hounslow at the forefront of the fight against waste and giving residents another way to recycle more.”
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 service1, so we are excited to be working in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow to make that happen. Recycling with Podback means tonnes of used pods will be removed from the waste stream every year, and the aluminium, plastic and coffee will all be given a new life.”
Upon signing up for this free service, residents will be sent two rolls of Podback recycling bags (26 bags or six months’ supply) along with instructions on how to use the service. Filled bags of used pods can then be put out, next to their recycling boxes, on the usual recycling collection day. Residents living in flats can participate by using the Podback Drop Off service.
Once collected, the coffee pods will be sent to specialist recycling plants. The plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products, including beverage cans, automotive components, building products and re-usable plastic crates, while the coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy and soil improver.
Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit, coffee pod recycling service. Created by the biggest names in coffee pods systems, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple and easy ways to recycle them.
Podback partners with local authorities to facilitate kerbside collections of pods, as part of their household waste and recycling services. In addition, people can recycle their used pods via the Yodel network of drop-off points across the UK.
