re3 has announced it has recycled over 1,350,000 aluminium coffee pods from the Bracknell Forest, Reading, and Wokingham Boroughs since July 2023.
re3 is a waste management partnership between the Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils, who are working together with FCC environment.
The pod recycling service was launched in collaboration with Podback, a nationwide coffee pod recycling service. The Podback scheme turns recycled aluminium and plastic beverage pods into new items, such as beverage cans and building products.
The partnership has diverted over 21 tonnes of materials from the general waste stream so far, FCC Environment said.
In July 2023, re3 started collecting aluminium and plastic coffee pods at the area’s household recycling centres.
Residents are required to save pods at home in any bag or container and tip them into the designated Podback containers when they visit the recycling centre. Aluminium and plastic pods need to be collected separately as they are sent to different recycling facilities.
Commenting on the milestone in a joint statement, re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board Members, said: “We are all impressed by the participation of our residents in this service, and we hope that the recycling habit will continue to brew locally in the coming months.
“This milestone demonstrates how important it is to recycle every single item and shows how our collective efforts can make a real difference. On this occasion, small items like coffee pods enabled us to divert over 21 tonnes of valuable materials for recycling, saving both resources and money.
“With Podback funding the service, it remains cost-neutral and provides an excellent way for us to enhance our recycling service for residents.”
Podback is a nationwide, not-for-profit recycling service created by Nestle and Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK to provide simple and convenient ways for consumers to recycle.
Once collected, the coffee pods are sent to specialist recycling plants within the UK and shredded to remove the coffee, and the plastic and aluminium are transformed into new products, including packaging, car components and building products.
The coffee grounds are treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Podback Executive Director Rick Hindley commented: “Recycling one million pods is an impressive milestone for re3 councils to have reached, and we’re delighted that the Podback service has been so well-received and well-supported by residents across Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs.
“With over 80% of coffee pod brands sold in the UK now included in the Podback service, we hope more residents will start saving their pods for recycling and that you’ll soon be marking another collection milestone!”
