Hounslow has become the third borough in London to roll out a coffee pod recycling service, and the first local authority in west London to do so. The new service has been launched in partnership with Podback – a not-for-profit recycling organisation. Residents can participate by signing up for free on the Podback website.
According to councillor Guy Lambert, Hounslow Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Recycling and Health Integration, collaborating with Podback ensures the used pods will be recycled in the UK.
“The Council’s new initiative is a completely free service – and is fully funded by Podback – so residents can sign up at no extra cost. As a Council we are serious about providing innovative solutions that can support our residents to behave more sustainably and this initiative is another step in the right direction,” he said.
Residents who sign up for the free service, residents will be sent two rolls of Podback recycling bags (26 bags or six months’ supply) along with instructions on how to use the service. Filled bags of used pods can then be put out, next to their recycling boxes, on the usual recycling collection day. Residents living in flats can participate by using the Podback Drop Off service.
“By expanding our offering with the launch of the new coffee pod recycling service, we are putting Hounslow at the forefront of the fight against waste and giving residents another way to recycle more,” said Dan Smyth, director of Recycling & Sustainability at Lampton Services.
Once collected, the coffee pods will be sent to specialist recycling plants. The plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products, including beverage cans, automotive components, building products and re-usable plastic crates, while the coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy and soil improver.
The most convenient way for people to recycle their coffee pods is as part of their Council’s regular service, said Podback executive director Rick Hindley. “Recycling with Podback means tonnes of used pods will be removed from the waste stream every year, and the aluminium, plastic and coffee will all be given a new life.”