Asda recycles 20 million coffee pods in first year of in-store scheme

Asda and Podback have reported that more than 20 million coffee pods have been collected for recycling through their in-store scheme during the first year of their UK-wide partnership.

Since January 2025, over 250,000 Podback recycling bags have been returned via Asda’s toYou counters. The retailer now operates coffee pod collection points in more than 600 stores, forming one of the largest in-store recycling networks of its kind in the UK.

The scheme is designed to provide an alternative route for recycling coffee pods, which can be difficult to process through standard kerbside collections due to their small size and the presence of residual organic material. Customers can place used aluminium or plastic pods in dedicated Podback bags and return them at participating store locations.

Once collected, the materials are separated and processed. Coffee grounds are converted into renewable energy and soil improver, while aluminium and plastic components are recycled into new products such as beverage cans, construction materials and outdoor furniture.

Recycling 20 million coffee pods in our first year is a significant milestone for our partnership with Podback. By providing a straightforward, convenient return service in over 600 stores, we are making it easier for our customers to make sustainable choices. As we mark Global Recycling Day today, we want to encourage even more coffee lovers to bring their pods back on their next shop in our stores.

Beth Fowler, Senior Manager – Healthy and Sustainable Choices, at Asda.

According to Asda, the service has seen consistent use across its store network. At Asda Longwell Green in Bristol, for example, an average of 51 Podback bags are returned each week, reflecting customer uptake of in-store recycling options.