Asda introduces in-store coffee pod recycling with Podback

Asda has launched a partnership with Podback, a coffee pod recycling initiative, to offer an accessible solution for recycling used coffee pods at over 600 stores across the UK.

Coffee pods, due to their small size and organic content, are not typically recyclable through standard household recycling schemes. To address this, Podback provides a specialised system that enables consumers to recycle both aluminium and plastic pods.

Customers can now collect Podback recycling bags via the organisation's website and return filled bags to Asda's participating stores through the retailer's toYou parcel return service. This free programme, established in 2021 by Nestlé and Jacobs Douwe Egberts, aims to simplify coffee pod recycling nationwide.

Recycled pods are processed in the UK, with the coffee grounds converted into renewable energy and soil improver through anaerobic digestion. The recovered aluminium and plastic are repurposed into new items, such as drinks cans, construction materials, and garden furniture.

Beth Fowler, Senior Manager – Healthy and Sustainable Choices, at Asda, said: We’re always looking for ways to support customers to make sustainable choices when shopping with us. 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 toYou and Podback, we hope that we can make recycling more convenient than ever when shopping with Asda.

Asda and Podback hope the initiative will encourage more consumers to recycle their coffee pods as part of their regular shopping trips.