Asda has issued an alert to shoppers buying coffee pods in its stores as it rolls out a new recycling scheme.
The supermarket has warned that coffee pods aren’t suitable for recycling through traditional routes due to their small size and because they contain organic material.
But Asda is now partnering with Podback – a coffee pod recycling service – to ensure coffee drinkers have access to a simple and convenient way of recycling their used pods.
Shoppers can now recycle their used aluminium and plastic coffee pods by putting them in a Podback bag and returning it to the toYou parcel returns service in more than 600 participating Asda stores.
The free to use Podback service was set up by Nestle and Jacobs Douwe Egberts in 2021 to make coffee pod recycling easy and convenient for UK customers.
Through the scheme, the plastic and aluminium pods are shredded to remove the coffee and any remaining grounds are transformed by anaerobic digestion into renewable energy and soil improver, while the empty pods are reprocessed to be made into new products like drinks cans, building products and garden furniture.
Asda said it hopes the new service will encourage more coffee drinkers to make recycling part of their regular shopping routine.
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.”
Rick Hindley, Executive Director at Podback, added: “Our partnership with Asda marks an exciting step forward in Podback’s mission to make sure every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled.
“Our customers tell us that they want easy and convenient ways to recycle, and the nationwide network of Asda toYou drop-off points means they can now drop their pods off for recycling as part of their regular visit to the supermarket.”
Customers can find their nearest Asda recycling point and order free recycling bags from Podback by using its online Recycle Checker and interactive map.
