Used coffee pod collection and recycling begins today in Ipswich
The borough council are working with Podback, a not-for-profit coffee pod recycling service to reduce waste and achieve carbon savings to help tackle climate change
Caffeine lovers in Ipswich who have acquired a taste for luxury coffee at home will now be able to recycle their coffee pods instead of throwing them in the bin.
In partnership with Podback, a not-for-profit recycling service, Ipswich Borough Council have launched a new program that allows residents to put out their used plastic or aluminium coffee pods along with their black and blue bins on their normal collection day.
A leaflet had been sent through the doors of Ipswich residents earlier this month, with instructions on how to register for the service. Those interested can follow the steps listed in the leaflet or check the council website to participate in the new service based on the types of coffee pods they use.
Once registered, residents will be sent two rolls of recycling bags or, if they use NESCAFE Dolce Gusto coffee pods, a caddy. When the bags or caddy get filled, they can be put along with their other bins on their regular bin collection day. Based on demand, dedicated areas will be installed in bin stores so that residents who receive communal waste and recycling collections can still use the service.
Councillor Phil Smart is the borough council's portfolio holder for the Environment. He says, "With the introduction of flexible working and more people working from home and drinking coffee, the expansion of the recycling service to collect coffee pods couldn’t come at a better time.
"Recycling is one of the easiest things we can do to protect the environment, and this scheme with Podback will offer our residents a simple way to recycle their coffee pods and help create a more circular economy for our waste and resources, with more materials being recycled and reused."
Podback was created in partnership between coffee giants Nespresso, NESCAFE Dolce Gusto and Tassimo to offer their customers an opportunity to provide quick and simple ways to make use of their used pods.
Rick Hindley is their Executive Director. He says, "This new collaboration with Ipswich Borough Council, to introduce coffee pod collections through the existing kerbside waste and recycling services will make it even easier for consumers to participate at home whilst helping the Council increase the amount it recycles.”
After they are collected, the pods will be processed to separate the plastic packaging from the coffee grounds. The latter will then be used to create soil improvers and renewable energy, while the plastic and aluminium will be transformed into new products.
Councillor Smart says, "“The coffee pods will be collected every week for recycling using both our household waste and recycling vehicles. Podback is funding the service so there is no cost to the council tax payer and it’s an excellent way for us to improve our existing recycling service.”