Asda customers have recycled over 3 million coffee pods since the start of 2025, after the retailer launched a new coffee pod recycling service.
In January this year, Asda partnered with Podback to provide coffee lovers with a simple and convenient way to recycle their used coffee pods in over 600 of its stores.
During the 12 weeks since launching, over 50,000 bags – the equivalent to 3.3 million coffee pods and 47 tonnes – have been returned to Asda stores using the free to use service.
Coffee pods are not suitable for recycling through traditional routes, due to their small size, and because they contain organic material.
Through the Podback scheme, plastic and aluminium pods are recycled in the UK. The coffee grounds are transformed by anaerobic digestion into renewable energy and soil improver. The aluminium and plastic from the used pods are then used in the manufacture of
products such as drinks cans, building products and garden furniture.
Beth Fowler, senior manager – healthy and sustainable choices, at Asda, said: “Our partnership with Podback is focused on making it as easy as possible for customers to recycle coffee pods as part of their regular shopping routine, so we’re delighted to see such a strong uptake in such a short space of time.
“Following this initial success, we’re now looking at more ways we can extend our partnership to encourage even more coffee lovers to use the service next time they’re in ours store”.
The Podback service was set up by Nestle and Jacobs Douwe Egberts in 2021 to make coffee pod recycling easy and convenient for consumers across the UK.
Podback users can recycle their used aluminium and plastic coffee pods by filling a Podback bag and returning it to the toYou parcel returns service in their nearest participating Asda store. Bags are available to order from Podback at www.podback.org.
