Podback recycling FAQ
Kerbside collections
Q: How do I sign up?
A:To recycle your pods, sign up at Podback.org and order your free recycling bags.
As part of this process, you will be asked which brand of coffee machine and pod you use, this will ensure you receive the correct bag. Podback will send you two rolls of bags for recycling your aluminium OR plastic coffee pods along with instructions.
Once you have your bags, you can start filling them up straight away.
Q: How do I recycle my coffee pods at home?
A: After registering for the service and ordering your free recycling bags online (as above) you can recycle your coffee pods through the kerbside collection service. Simply fill your Podback recycling bag with used aluminium OR plastic pods. Once your bag is full, place it on top of your recycling box by 7am on your normal collection day.
Q: Do I have to pay for the collections?
A: No, the collection of pods is completely free to residents. Podback is a not-for-profit service, funded by the coffee pod brands. All funding for the new coffee pod collection service is provided by Podback.
Q: Can I recycle any brand of coffee pod?
A: Aluminium and plastic pods from participating Podback member brands can be recycled with Podback.
Together these brands represent over 80% 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.
If your brand is not currently a member, why not contact them and suggest they get involved?
Q: Can I place aluminium and plastic coffee pods in the same bag?
A: No, It is important that the plastic and aluminium pods are collected separately, as they are sent to different locations within the UK to be recycled.
If your household regularly uses both aluminium and plastic pods, the easiest option is to create two accounts, one for plastic and one for aluminium, using different email addresses. You can then order the appropriate bags when needed.
Q: Do I need to remove the used coffee grounds before putting them into the collection bag?
A: No, you can put the whole pod straight into the recycling bag. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods as part of the recycling process. The coffee is then treated by anaerobic digestion which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Q: Can I include the packaging my pods came in?
A: No, please do not place the packaging your pods came in inside the collection bags. Check to find out what can and cannot be recycled at the kerbside online.
Q: Can I use any bag for my coffee pods?
A: No. To take part in the Podback kerbside recycling service you must use the recycling bags provided for free by Podback.
The Podback bags help Lancaster’s recycling crews identify the bags easily. It also helps them to be sorted for reprocessing more effectively.
It’s easy to sign up and order kerbside bags from the Podback website
Q: How long will it take for the recycling bags to arrive?
A: Bags are sent by Royal Mail and should arrive within 7 – 10 working days. Once you have your bags, you can start using them straight away.
Q: How do I order more bags?
A: You will receive 26 bags, enough to last approximately six months, when you have finished your supply, you can reorder by logging into your account on the Podback website
Q: I haven’t received my bags from Podback which I ordered ages ago. What do I do?
A: Your bags should have been sent to you within 5 -7 working days. If you still haven’t received them, please contact Podback directly to inform them of the issue. They will be able to assist and ensure you receive your bags promptly. You can contact them via the Podback website
Q: Can I put out extra bags?
A: Yes, we can collect as many full bags as you have. Please fill your bags up to the dotted line as instructed. If you run out of bags, you can reorder by logging into your account on the Podback website
Q: I saw the refuse crew put my pods into the back of the lorry. Does this mean that they won’t be recycled?
A: Thank you for reporting this. It is likely that the crew stored the pods in a small cage mounted to the underside of the vehicle. All pods are kept separate so that they can be sent for recycling, even if they are collected with your refuse bins. We can of course discuss this with the crew to ensure they are collecting the pods correctly. Please email our Recycling Team and we can look into this further.
Q: I have received a Podback ‘wrong bag’ sticker, what do I do?
A: Please take the bag back inside your property. You will need to sign up for the Podback service to order Podback recycling bags. The service is free.
Flats and communal properties
Q: I live in a property with shared communal bins, can I still take part in the scheme?
A: Yes. If you live in a property that shares communal bins collection, you will be provided with a clearly labelled container for Podback bags next to your recycling bins. If there is no Podback container please email our recycling team.
Q: I use shared communal bins and the pods haven’t been collected. What do I do?
A: Your communal bin store or collection point will have been provided with a clearly labelled container for Podback bags. If this has not been emptied or if there is no Podback container please email our recycling team
Missed collections
Q: My bags haven’t been collected. What do I do?
A: We will collection your pods on your next recycling collection day. Please leave them out for collection on your recycling box or recycling wheelie bin on this day.
Please ensure your bags only contain coffee pods and are not filled with liquid or packaging. It may be that the crew had to leave the bags as they contained the wrong materials. If the bags do contain the wrong materials or lots of liquid, please remove these before presenting them for collection.
Q: Why won’t you return to collect the bag if you missed it?
A: We have decided not to return for missed pod collections due to the environmental impact of sending back a collection vehicle to collect the pods. By collecting the pods on your next recycling collection day, we avoid creating any additional carbon emissions.
If you have had multiple missed collections, please let us know by contacting our recycling team and we can look into the issue further.
Q: What happens if I have an assisted collection?
A: If you have an assisted collection, pods will be collected from your usual recycling collection point.
Cancelling the service
Q: What do I do if I no longer require the Podback service?
A: You can cancel the Podback service through your online account at any time.
Recycling Centres
Q: Can I take my own pods to the recycling centre?
A: No. Please do not take your pods to the recycling centres or banks. You can only recycle your coffee pods via our kerbside collection service. You can sign up to the service at the Podback website.
Q: What happens to my used pods?
A: After collection, the coffee pods are taken to a specialist reprocessing plant in the UK to separate the packaging from the used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds are used to create soil improver and renewable energy. The plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products such as beverage cans or plastic garden furniture.
Watch our animation to show what happens to your pods
Q: Where will the pods be processed and recycled?
A: 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 in Cheshire. Plastic pods are reprocessed in Yorkshire.
Watch our live video to show how your pods are processed
Q: Are the bags recycled as part of the recycling process?
A: The recycling bags supplied by Podback for kerbside recycling are made of recycled material and are fully recyclable. They are baled by the reprocessor and sent to a facility in 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.
Environmental Impact
Q: What’s is the carbon impact of the Podback scheme?
A: The carbon footprint of the service is very important to us. We are working with Podback and partners to make sure the service is as efficient as possible.
Coffee pods have traditionally been difficult to recycle through existing collection services due to their size, weight and wet coffee grounds. The Podback service helps us divert coffee grounds and valuable resources from landfill or Energy from Waste.
More FAQs can be found on Podback's website.
Last updated: 10 October 2023