Podback - coffee pod recycling

Podback is a coffee pod recycling scheme, created in partnership with the biggest names in coffee pods, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo, to give people simple and easy ways to recycle them.

Cheltenham is a pioneering local authority partner and one of the first in the UK to offer this great initiative to local residents, enabling you to recycle your coffee pods every week as part of your normal kerbside waste and recycling collections. Find out more about the service and if you can recycle your brand of pods on the Podback website. You'll also find more information about the scheme on our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.

Building a cleaner, greener future will require teamwork and action from us all, which is why we are excited and proud that the Podback initiative has launched in Cheltenham.

We are now collecting coffee pods each week with your normal refuse or recycling collection - just pop your bags from Podback on top of your recycling boxes or refuse bin. Check here to find out when your bin collection day is. We will collect your bags every week, however if your bags are not collected one week please put them out the following week.

When there is a bank holiday in the week, refuse and recycling is normally collected one day later. Separate arrangements are made for the Christmas/New Year period. Check our bank holiday collections page for details.

For more information about recycling please visit our recycling pages.

Podback FAQs

How do I recycle my pods?

There are three ways you can use the service:

Kerbside collection (part of normal waste and recycling collections)

To use the kerbside collection service you'll need to register and order kerbside recycling bags from Podback.

No other types of bag should be used for this collection. Aluminium and plastic coffee pods need to be kept separate as they are reprocessed at different facilities. The bags have been designed so that you can tie them easily to contain the pods.

The bags help the collection crews identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant container on the collection vehicle.

There are two different bags, a white one for aluminium pods and teal one for plastic pods. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you should request both types of bags when you register.

Collect+

A white sealable bag with an 'A' for aluminium coffee pods and a teal coloured bag with a 'P' for plastic coffee pods

To use the Collect+ service you'll need to order Collect+ bags from Podback. These bags have been designed so that they can be easily sealed to prevent leaks when being returned via Collect+.

Simply follow the instructions, print a label and drop off at your nearest Collect+ store.

Visit podback.org to find out more and order bags.

Please be aware – these bags cannot be used for kerbside collections.

Return to store

If you use Nespresso coffee pods, you can pick up a Nespresso recycling bag and drop these off at all Nespresso Boutique stores. The nearest store for Cheltenham residents is in John Lewis, High Street, Cheltenham.

Use the boutique locator to find your nearest store

Can I put aluminium and plastic pods in the same bag?

No, the different types of pods must be kept separate so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility. There are two different bags, a white one for aluminium pods and teal one for plastic pods. If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you should request types of bags when you register.

What to do if you live in a flat or shared house?

You can still recycle your coffee pods if you receive a communal waste and recycling collection. Simply place your filled bags in the dedicated area of the bin store or put them on top of your bins or boxes on your normal waste and recycling collection day. If you are not sure check with your landlord or managing agent.

Can I recycle any brand of coffee pod?

To find out if you can recycle your brand of coffee pods visit podback.org.

If I put my bags out with my household waste, will it get recycled?

Yes. The coffee pods you put out on top of your bin in the Podback bags will be collected and sent for recycling. We are using both our household waste vehicles and our recycling vehicles to provide you with a weekly coffee pod recycling collection.

Can I still participate if I don’t have access to a kerbside collection?

Yes. If you cannot access a kerbside service, you can use the Collect+ service which allows you to drop off filled bags to your nearest Collect+ store. To order your free recycling bag to be returned via Collect+ visit podback.org, or sign up and leave the bags in a designated area in your bin store area. If you use Nespresso coffee pods you can also pick up recycling bags and return bags for recycling at John Lewis, High Street, Cheltenham. See the "How do I recycle my pods?" FAQ at the top of this section.

How long will it take to get my Podback kerbside recycling bags?

Your bags will then be sent to you within 5 -7 working days. Once you have your bags, you can start filling them up straight away. Simply follow the instructions on the bag itself and place the bag out for collection along with your other waste and recycling containers by 7am on your normal collection day.

Can I use my own bags to put coffee pods out for kerbside?

What happens if my bags are not collected?

We will collect your bags every week however if your bags are not collected one week please present the following week.

Can I use plastic bags?

No, to take part in the new Podback coffee pod kerbside recycling collection scheme you need to register and order kerbside recycling bags from Podback. Visit podback.org

Are the bags recycled as part of the recycling process?

The current recycling bags are not recycled as part of the recycling process due to their contact with liquids, labels and wider materials. The bags are recovered however and used to create energy. Podback are looking at ways to recycle these in future.

Can I put out extra bags?

Yes, you can put out as many bags are you want. Should you run out of bags, you can order more from podback.org

How do I get more free bags?

If you need more bags visit podback.org to order more.

Can I put Podback Collect+ bags out on my kerbside recycling collection?

You must use the Podback recycling bags that are designed for the kerbside collections. Aluminium and plastic pods need to be kept separate as they are sent to different reprocessing plants. These bags help the collection crews identify the types of pods so that they can be sorted for reprocessing. To order bags visit podback.org If you request a Collect+ recycling option, you will be sent a recycling bag specifically for this type of collection. You need to follow the online instructions, print a label and return it to a Collect+ store.

Why is Podback using so many different types of plastic bags to recycle the pods?

There are two types of kerbside bag. One for recycling aluminium pods and the other for recycling plastic pods. The pods must be kept separate as they are sent to different processing plants. The bags help the collection crews identify the types of coffee pods and put them in the relevant container on the collection vehicle. There are two types of Collect+ bag. One for recycling aluminium pods and the other for recycling plastic pods. The pods must be kept separate as they are sent to different processing plants. These have been designed with special seals to stop any liquid leaking out when they are sent through the Collect+ system.

Why are there different ways to return your coffee pods for recycling?

The Collect+ recycling returns system has been in place for some years with the individual coffee brands, Podback is a new coffee pod recycling service. It has been created in partnership with the biggest names in coffee pod systems, Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo to give people simple and easy ways to recycle them. Podback is working with local authorities who collect waste and recycling from households to expand their existing recycling collections to include coffee pods.