Sainsbury’s has partnered with coffee pod manufacturer Dualit and On-Pack Recycling Label Ltd (OPRL Ltd) to encourage the recycling of aluminium coffee pods.

The supermarket chain has become the first UK retailer to label its own brand aluminium coffee pods as recyclable. 

The pods need to be emptied of coffee and rinsed before being put in a recycling bin, and this label will make that clear to consumers.

Sainsbury’s will also start selling the Dualit EcoPress from November, which is a device that makes it easy to remove the coffee from the aluminium.

Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation at Sainsbury’s said: “We’re always looking for new ways to help our customers live more sustainably at home, and key to that is making sure any changes are small and easy to implement.

“That’s why we decided to challenge the notion that aluminium coffee pods can’t be recycled and with consumers more concerned about the planet than ever before, it felt like a natural place to look.

“Whilst we might be the first retailer to label our own brand coffee pods as recyclable, it’s important to understand that many aluminium pods are in fact recyclable. We hope others follow suit and change their packaging to raise awareness and encourage recycling.”