Coffee has launched a trial offering coffee pod recycling at dozens of its shops in the UK.

It has announced a collaboration with Podback, a not-for-profit organisation created by 27 brands including Nespresso which represent over 80% of the UK coffee pod market.

During the trial, customers can pick up free Podback recycling bags in-store and return them for Podback to collect and recycle.

The bags are available from baristas in all 133 Costa stores located within Tesco stores across the UK, and nine other Costa stores in the Swindon area. The scheme accepts both plastic and aluminium pods from any Podback member.

Collaborate

Costa Coffee claims to be the first UK coffee chain to collaborate with Podback to introduce customer-facing pod recycling points.

In 2018, the brand worked with Valpak, an environmental solutions and resource management company, to establish the UK’s National Cup Recycling Scheme, which helped fund recycling infrastructure across the country.

Rick Hindley, executive director of Podback, says: ‘This trial gives Podback customers the opportunity to drop off their used pods at local Costa Coffee stores, a response to customer feedback telling us people want a choice of ways to recycle that fit with their daily lives.’

New ways

Liz Higgins, head of sustainability at Costa Coffee, adds the company is always looking for new ways to make it easier for customers to recycle its packaging.

‘Through this trial with Podback, in-store drop-off points will offer coffee pod users the chance to conveniently recycle their pods with us – whether they are Costa branded or not.’

‘The trial will allow us to gather valuable customer feedback and insights, which we will use to enhance our future recycling solutions for pods, cups, and other packaging materials.’