1. Don’t bin your used pods! Store them at home until you’re ready to take them to your local recycling centre. Top tip: store used aluminium and plastic pods separately, this will help save time sorting when you get to the recycling centre.
2. Book your recycling centre visit. You can book your visit up to two weeks in advance.
3. Put your used coffee pods in the Podback containers at the recycling centre (no bags, boxes or other packaging please). Aluminium and plastic pods need to go in separate containers, these will be clearly signposted. If you need help, ask one of the staff at the site.
4. Used coffee pods are then sent to parts of the UK to be recycled. Aluminium pods are recycled in Cheshire and plastic pods are recycled in East Yorkshire.

Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit, coffee pod recycling service. Created in partnership with some of the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, Podback aims to give people who enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods simple ways to recycle them.

Aluminium and plastic beverage pods from participating Podback member brands can be recycled. This includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, matcha, and milk pods.

Compostable pods cannot be recycled through this scheme. You’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s details for these ones.

If you’re visiting the recycling centre by car, you will need to book a time slot. You can book your slot up to two weeks in advance, or as little as one hour before your visit. Booking your slot at the recycling centre is quick, simple and saves time, removing the need to queue on site. Book here.

If you’re travelling to the recycling centre by bike (all sites allow cyclist access) or on foot (Hartcliffe Way site only) no booking is required.

Please separate aluminium and plastic pods. The different material pods are sent to different factories in the UK to be recycled.

Aluminium and plastic pods need to go in a separate Podback containers at the recycling centre, these will be clearly signposted. If you need help, ask one of the staff at the site.

You don’t need to remove the coffee from your used pods. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods during the recycling process and whilst the plastic or aluminium goes on to become new products, the coffee is recycled into biogas to power homes and soil improver to grow crops.

You can save your pods in any bag or container that suits you. Just make sure you only put the loose pods into the Podback container at the recycling centre. 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.

Put your used coffee pods in the Podback containers at the recycling centre (no bags, boxes or other packaging in these containers please). Aluminium and plastic pods need to go in separate containers, these will be clearly signposted.

Top tip: other packaging like carboard can be recycled in the correct container at the recycling centre. If you need help, ask one of the staff at the site.

Podback collects and recycles plastic and aluminium beverage pods sold by their member brands, this includes coffee, tea, milk and hot chocolate pods.

Over 80% of pods sold in the UK can be recycled through Podback.

You can use Podback’s recycle checker to see if your favourite pod brand is a member of the service. If they’re not listed, why not get in touch and suggest they join the scheme?

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

Aluminium pods are sent to Cheshire where the aluminium is reprocessed to be used in packaging and automotive industries.

Plastic pods are sent to Yorkshire where they are shredded and washed. The recycled material is then used in the building and furniture manufacturing industries.

The used coffee is extracted and recycled into renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

Podback provides a range of recycling options. Please use their Recycle Checker to find out what options are available to you.

Podback is funded by member brands including some of the biggest names in coffee pod systems such as Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. Local brand Clifton Coffee Roasters is also a member.

The Podback recycling service is provided free of charge to Bristol’s recycling centres and residents.

Only plastic or aluminium-based pods can be recycled through the Podback scheme. Please follow the manufactures guidelines for other types of pod.