North Yorkshire Council is working with Podback, a coffee pod recycling service, to enable residents to bring their coffee pods to household waste recycling centres (HWRCs).

Used coffee pods, as well as tea, milk, and hot chocolate pods, are accepted. The plastic or aluminium pods need to be collected separately, as they are recycled at different facilities. 

As part of the scheme, pods will be sent to specialist recycling plants and be transformed into new products such as packaging, car components and building products. 

Coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to create soil improver and renewable energy. 

Executive member for waste services, Cllr Greg White, said: “We are excited to be working with Podback to introduce another recycling stream at the HWRCs for residents. 

“Coffee drinkers can now enjoy their coffee knowing their pods can be recycled and go on to be made into new products, renewable energy and improve the soil.” 

Recycling items uses less energy than manufacturing from raw materials, saving natural resources and reducing carbon emissions generated by throwing items away in landfill and even incineration. 

Podback’s executive director, Rick Hindley, added: “It’s great to be able to expand our service to North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling centres. 

“We want to make coffee pod recycling as easy as possible, and this new service enables residents to drop off pods when convenient, alongside other recyclables, helping to reduce waste and increase recycling.” 

Podback is a not-for-profit recycling service, created and funded by the UK’s leading coffee pod systems of NESCAFE Dolce Gusto, Tassimo and Nespresso, and over 25 coffee pod brands and national retailers. All pods collected by Podback are recycled in the UK. 

The containers are available at all household waste recycling centres excluding Leyburn, Settle and Wombleton.