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Image Credit: Asda
ASDA has partnered with Podback, a coffee pod recycling service, to make it easier for consumers to recycle their used coffee pods at over 600 stores across the UK.
Coffee pods, typically challenging to recycle due to their small size and organic material content, can now be returned to ASDA’s parcel returns service. Customers simply need to fill a Podback recycling bag and drop it off at participating stores. The recycling bags are available for free via the Podback website.
Sustainable Transformation of Coffee Pods
Podback, established in 2021 by Nestlé and Jacobs Douwe Egberts, transforms used coffee pods into valuable resources. Coffee grounds are converted into renewable energy and soil improvers through anaerobic digestion. At the same time, the aluminium and plastic from pods are repurposed into items like drink cans, building materials, and garden furniture.
The partnership aims to integrate coffee pod recycling into consumers’ regular shopping routines, with free-to-use services designed for convenience. Podback's online recycling checker allows consumers to find their nearest recycling point and order bags.
Industry-Wide Collaboration
ASDA joins a growing list of UK retailers collaborating with Podback to improve coffee pod recycling accessibility:
Morrisons: In May 2022, it partnered with Podback to launch nationwide coffee pod collection points and provide free recycling bags.
Costa Coffee: Began trialling recycling points in 142 stores in September 2022, accepting pods from major brands like Nespresso, Tassimo, and NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto.
Tesco: Hosts Podback-branded recycling points, encouraging wider adoption of sustainable pod disposal.
Beth Fowler, Senior Manager of Healthy and Sustainable Choices at Asda, commented: “The partnership with Podback is one of many workstreams across Asda’s ESG strategy, including broader commitments on packaging reduction, recyclability, and recycled content. By offering the collection and recycling service with Asda to You and Podback, we hope that we can make recycling more convenient than ever when shopping with Asda.”
Rick Hindley, Executive Director at Podback, added: “Our partnership with Asda marks an exciting step forward in Podback’s mission to make sure every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled.
“Our customers tell us that they want easy and convenient ways to recycle, and the nationwide network of Asda toYou drop-off points means they can now drop their pods off for recycling as part of their regular visit to the supermarket.”
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