Coffee pod recycling with Podback

Use our free collection service to recycle your coffee pods. We've partnered with Podback to offer this simple service designed to make recycling at home even easier.

We are currently operating the service on a trial basis to approximately 75% of households in Chichester District. As part of this service, we are also offering collections of textiles and small electrical items.

These collections are bookable online and not conducted by your normal waste or recycling crew. Collections may be different from your normal bin day.

• How does the coffee pod collection service work?
• Book a free coffee pod collection
• Frequently asked questions

How does the coffee pod collection service work?

It's easy to get involved. Follow our step-by-step guide to help us to recycle your coffee pods:

1. Sign up and order your free kerbside recycling bags on the Podback website.
2. Podback will send you two rolls of bags and an instruction leaflet within 7 - 10 working days. Each roll has 13 bags on it.
3. When at least one of your bags is full, click the button below to book your free collection.
4. On your booked collection day, leave your bag(s) out at your normal collection point where it is clearly visible by 6am and our team will come and collect it.

Book a free coffee pod collection

How are coffee pods recycled?

The coffee pods you recycle with Podback are taken to specialist aluminium and plastics reprocessing plants in the UK, so your pod doesn't have to travel far before it's transformed into something new. The pods are shredded to remove the coffee and the empty pods are reprocessed and used in the manufacture of new products.

Recycled aluminium pods are used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components.

Recycled plastic pods are used to make a range of products including furniture and industrial packaging.

The coffee grounds are sent for anaerobic digestion, a process which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

Frequently asked questions

Can I recycle any brand of coffee pod?

The following aluminium and plastic pods are participating brands:

• Nespresso
• Nescafé Dolce Gusto
• Starbucks by Nespresso
• Starbucks by Nescafé Dolce Gusto
• Tassimo
• L'OR
• CruKafe
• Artisan Coffee Co
• Allpress Espresso
• Colonna Coffee
• Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee.

These brands are accepted and can be recycled through the Podback programme. This includes coffee, hot chocolate and tea pods. To find out more visit the Podback (opens new window) website.

Can I recycle hot chocolate and tea drink pods?

Yes. You can recycle any type of:

• Nespresso
• Nescafé Dolce Gusto
• Starbucks by Nespresso
• Starbucks by Nescafé Dolce Gusto
• Tassimo
• L'OR
• CruKafe
• Artisan Coffee Co
• Allpress Espresso
• Colonna Coffee

• Café Palmieri by Jomad Coffee drinks pods

Do I need to remove the used coffee grounds before putting them into the Podback recycling bag?

No. The coffee grounds are removed from the pods later in the recycling process. These are then used to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

However, please remember to drain the used pods of any liquid before placing in the Podback recycling bag. Be careful as the contents may be hot.

Can I put aluminium and plastic pods in the same bag?

No. Please keep the different types of pods separate so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility.

There are two different bags:

• A white one for aluminium pods.
• A teal one for plastic pods.

If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you should order both types of bags when you register with Podback (opens new window).

Will I automatically receive Podback recycling bags?

No. To use this service, please register at the Podback website (opens new window) and order your free recycling bags. Podback will send you two rolls of bags and an instruction leaflet. Each roll has 13 bags on it. This is typically sufficient to last a household for six months. When you need more bags, please visit the Podback website where you can order them through your online account.

Can I use any bag to recycle my used pods?

No. To take part in the Podback kerbside recycling collection scheme, you must use the recycling bags provided by Podback. 

How many used pods will fit into the recycling bags?

The quantity of pods will depend on the brand of pods you use. Please follow the instructions on the bag and fill it to the dotted line ensuring that the pods are drained of any liquid.

Do I have to book a collection?

Yes. Please book a collection online so the crew know to collect your bags. The service is provided by a dedicated crew and the bags will not be collected by your normal waste or recycling crews. 

My bags have not been collected. What do I do?

Your bag will not be collected if it contains the wrong materials or is filled with liquids. If the bags do contain the wrong materials or lots of liquid, please remove these before putting them out on your next booked collection day.

Please also check to make sure you had booked your collection successfully and had placed your bags out by 6am at your normal collection point where they are clearly visible, on your booked day.

If we have missed your bag(s), please contact 01243 785166 or email wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk. 

How do I get more bags?

When you need more bags, please visit the Podback website where you can order them through your online account.

I drink coffee regularly and don't want to book a collection every two weeks. Can this be done automatically?

Yes. We offer a reoccurring collection for coffee pod users. Please book your collection online and select the regular ongoing collections button when asked what you would like to book. This will then schedule you for reoccurring collections fortnightly.

I live in a property with a shared communal bin. Can I still participate?

Yes. If you live in a flat or communal property with shared bins you can still participate in this trial service. Please book a collection online as normal and leave your bags in your communal bin store on your designated collection day. Please make sure that your bags are visible without becoming a trip hazard for other residents who use the bin store.

Why am I not included in the 75% trial area?

Unfortunately, we are only able to trial this service in 75% of the district. If you don't have access to a kerbside collection you can use the Podback 'Drop off' service, please visit Podback for more information (opens new window).

Once the trial is complete, we will be looking to see if this is something we could potentially roll out to the whole of the district so that even more people can benefit.

Can I use the Collect+ bags for the kerbside collection service?

No. Please use the Podback recycling bags that are designed for the kerbside collections. If you book a Collect+ recycling option from Podback, you will be sent a recycling bag specifically for this type of collection. You need to follow the online instructions, print a label, and return it to a Collect+ store.

Can I take my coffee pods to the recycling centre for recycling?

No. Please do not take your used coffee pods to the recycling centres or banks as you can only recycle your coffee pods through our kerbside collection service. If you are not included in the trial area, please visit Podback for alternative ways to recycle your coffee pods (opens new window).