Oxford residents recycle over 200,000 coffee pods

In August 2021, Oxford City Council, in partnership with ODS and Podback, launched the pioneering coffee pod kerbside recycling service to residents. The service has proved a great success with over 200,000 coffee pods collected so far.

How Podback works

Podback is a not-for-profit coffee pod recycling service that encourages people to recycle their coffee pods from home. Residents simply need to register on the Podback website and order free recycling bags, which can be put out for kerbside collection with their recycling or rubbish bins. Residents can recycle both plastic and aluminium coffee pods depending on the pods they use.

Podback's recycling service is helping to increase recycling and reduce carbon rates. Once collected from the kerbside, the coffee pods are sent for reprocessing in the UK. The coffee grounds are used to create soil improver and renewable energy. The plastic and aluminium are recycled into new products.

The service contributes to Oxford’s recycling rate, which is currently 52.13% for the year (as of December). The Podback service continues to support Oxford City Council’s commitment to become a net zero carbon council by 2030. Recycling items uses less energy than manufacturing from raw materials, saving natural resources and reducing carbon emissions.

Councillor Lubna Arshad, Member for Parks and Waste Reduction, said:

“Oxford residents are incredibly motivated to recycle and their engagement with the service has been impressive, with an estimated 200,000 coffee pods collected so far."

“This service is just one part of our Zero Carbon strategy, bringing Oxford closer towards being a zero waste, zero carbon city. We’re thrilled to be one of the pioneers of this new service, and we’re excited to see it grow. A huge thanks to everyone who’s joined the scheme so far.”

Rick Hindley, Podback’s Executive Director, said:

“We want people to enjoy the quality and taste of coffee pods knowing there is a simple and easy way to recycle them. The Podback kerbside recycling collection service means householders can recycle at home and simply put their Podback bags out for collection with their other waste and recycling. We are delighted by Oxford city residents’ response and engagement with the Podback service.”