Have you ever imagined what happened to the used coffee pods after that morning pick-me-up? For over 3.5 million of them, a second life was given, thanks to a powerful local partnership driving this national change.
The re3 Partnership uniting Bracknell Forest, Reading, and Wokingham Borough Councils in collaboration with FCC Environment is proudly celebrating the second anniversary of its innovative coffee pod recycling service, launched with the Podback scheme. Since its inception in July 2023, the initiative has recycled a remarkable 54.4 tonnes of coffee pods (both aluminium and plastic) through re3’s recycling centres.
Aluminium and plastic coffee pods are carefully separated and recycled to ensure maximum recovery of valuable materials. Once collected, the aluminium and plastic components are transformed into new products such as beverage cans, car parts, and building materials. Meanwhile, the used coffee grounds don’t go to waste they’re recycled alongside other food waste and converted through anaerobic digestion into renewable energy (biogas) and nutrient-rich soil improver for agricultural use.
What started as a small step towards tackling tricky-to-recycle waste has grown into a standout success. In just 24 months, the initiative has helped avoid the carbon emissions and disposal costs of nearly 55 tonnes of waste, showing that when recycled right, even tiny items like coffee pods can perk up our environmental efforts in a big way.
Rick Hindley, Executive Director of Podback, added, “We’re pleased to celebrate this two-year anniversary with re3 and applaud the residents of Bracknell, Reading, and Wokingham Boroughs for their ongoing support. As the first local authority partners to introduce coffee pod collections at Recycling Centres, re3 has set a strong example for others to follow. Recycling nearly 55 tonnes of pods is a great achievement and highlights the lasting impact of this collaboration.”
So next time you finish your espresso, remember your used pod has a second shot at life.
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In a joint statement, members of the re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board – Cllr Karen Rowland (Chair and Reading Borough Council’s Lead for Environmental Services and Community Safety), Cllr Helen Purnell (Vice-Chair and Bracknell Forest Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Housing), and Cllr Katrin Harding (Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency) shared their reflections –
“Recycling 3.5 million coffee pods in just two years is a fantastic achievement and a testament to our residents’ strong commitment to recycling. That’s the equivalent of 4,795 cups of coffee brewed and responsibly recycled every day, which is a powerful reminder that small, everyday actions can lead to significant environmental benefits. We’re pleased to see this service remain popular with residents making the effort to separate even the smallest items when visiting our recycling centres.”
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