Oxford residents’ waste coffee pods used to generate biogas
Residents in Oxford, UK will now be able to recycle their coffee pods through kerbside recycling, which will be used to create biogas, plastic pellets, and aluminium ingots.
Podback was created in collaboration with major coffee brands including Nespresso, Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. Oxford City Council has joined forces with the company as part of its aim to increase recycling to 65%.
The collected pods are taken to UK re-processors to separate the packaging from the used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds will be sent for anaerobic digestion, producing biogas and soil improver, while the plastic and aluminium pods are processed to produce plastic pellets and aluminium ingots, while the
Coffee pod sales in the UK have surged in recent years, as consumers seek out luxury coffee at home. Research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Podback found that more than a third 35% of coffee pod drinkers are unaware they can be recycled, while 90% state they’d like to be able to recycle their coffee pods through their usual household recycling.
From 9 August, Oxford residents will be able to recycle both plastic and aluminium coffee pods using free collection bags provided by Podback. For residents who cannot access a kerbside service, a Collect+ service is available, allowing consumers to drop off filled bags to a Collect+ store.
“With more people working from home and drinking coffee, the expansion of the recycling service to collect coffee pods couldn’t come at a better time,” said Councillor Lubna Arshad, cabinet member for parks and waste reduction.
“Our residents want to do the right thing for the environment and recycle as much as possible. The coffee pods will be collected every week for recycling using both our household recycling and waste vehicles.”
Podback was created in collaboration with major coffee brands including Nespresso, Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. Oxford City Council has joined forces with the company as part of its aim to increase recycling to 65%.
The collected pods are taken to UK re-processors to separate the packaging from the used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds will be sent for anaerobic digestion, producing biogas and soil improver, while the plastic and aluminium pods are processed to produce plastic pellets and aluminium ingots, while the
Coffee pod sales in the UK have surged in recent years, as consumers seek out luxury coffee at home. Research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Podback found that more than a third 35% of coffee pod drinkers are unaware they can be recycled, while 90% state they’d like to be able to recycle their coffee pods through their usual household recycling.
From 9 August, Oxford residents will be able to recycle both plastic and aluminium coffee pods using free collection bags provided by Podback. For residents who cannot access a kerbside service, a Collect+ service is available, allowing consumers to drop off filled bags to a Collect+ store.
“With more people working from home and drinking coffee, the expansion of the recycling service to collect coffee pods couldn’t come at a better time,” said Councillor Lubna Arshad, cabinet member for parks and waste reduction.
“Our residents want to do the right thing for the environment and recycle as much as possible. The coffee pods will be collected every week for recycling using both our household recycling and waste vehicles.”
