Morrisons to become the “first” UK supermarket to roll out dedicated Podback coffee pod collection points in over 350 stores nationwide.
Starting in June, customers can drop off bags of used aluminium and plastic pods in-store, which will then be recycled in the UK through the Podback scheme.
Currently, customers are only already able to pick up free Podback recycling bags from Morrisons customer service desks.
The national rollout follows a trial of in-store collection points in 29 stores. Morrisons said between July 2023 and March 2024 the trial collected over 42,300 kgs of pods, an average of 37 kg per store each week.
Commenting on the rollout, Zara Safdari, Waste and Sustainability Manager at Morrisons, said: “Coffee pods have continued to grow in popularity over recent years, with many household brands now offering a variety of pods to brew fresh coffee in minutes at home.
“Picking up Podback bags while doing a supermarket shop and dropping them back, filled, on further shopping trips makes it easy for consumers to recycle their used coffee pods.
“We’re pleased to be extending this service to make it even easier for our customers who want barista-style coffee at home to recycle their used pods.”
We’re pleased to be extending this service to make it even easier for our customers who want barista-style coffee at home to recycle their used pods.
Through the Podback scheme, Aluminium is used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components, and plastic is used in the manufacture of a range of items, including packaging crates and building products.
The used coffee grounds are treated by anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Rick Hindley, Executive Director at Podback, commented: “The in-store drop-off trial proved an immediate success with recyclers, and the volume of pods collected through the trial has continued to grow month-on-month.
“Podback is committed to making pod recycling simple and convenient for lovers of pod coffee, and adding a national supermarket to our network of free recycling points is a major step forward towards our goal.”
