Recycling coffee pods with the L'OR podback bag

Podback collects aluminium and plastic beverage pods. They are recycled at separate facilities in the UK, but the processes are very similar: Pods are shredded to remove the coffee and the empty pods are reprocessed and used in the manufacture of new products.

Recycled aluminium is used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components.

Recycled plastic is used to make a range of products including building products and industrial packaging.

The coffee grounds are sent for anaerobic digestion, a process which creates renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

The Podback bags are also recycled by a specialist plastic film recycler.

Click here to watch the Podback videos following the recycling journey of your coffee pods and coffee grounds.

Our recycling process takes place within the UK. Aluminium pods are shredded and then recycled in Cheshire. Coffee grounds are recycled at food waste plants close to our recycling plants. Podback bags are recycled in East Yorkshire.

The white Podback bags will hold up to 120 used L’OR pods, [Nespresso® compatible pods], or 60 of the L’OR XXL pods. Please ensure your bag has been drained of any liquid before sealing the bag, using both the grip seal and adhesive strip.

Watch how to fill and seal your Podback bag.

You can put any participating brand’s pods in the appropriate bag.
The teal-coloured bag marked P is for plastic coffee pods or the white bag marked A is for aluminium coffee pods.If you use both aluminium and plastic pods you cannot put them in the same bag, you will need to use separate bags. This is so they can be sent to the correct reprocessing facility.

We’ll add Podback bags to every order made through our website. The quantity of Podback bags you’ll receive will cover the number of pods in your order. If you require additional bags you can order these directly with an account from Podback.

There is no need to empty your pods, but please drain any remaining liquid from them before putting them in your recycling bag.

Coffee grains are removed at the recycling facility, and taken to a food waste recycling plant where they are transformed into renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

You can watch our short film which explains how this process works, click here.

No. Used pods will only be accepted in Podback bags.  

There are two kinds of bag, which have each been designed to withstand the demands of the different collection services, either in-store drop-off or local council kerbside. You do not need a Podback bag to use the local authority recycling centre - pods should be tipped loose into the Podback containers. It is very important that the aluminium that you collect reach our recycling partners, and our recycling bags have been designed to ensure this happens.

Podback uses different types of bags depending on the collection service – household collection or drop-off. The bags must be able to store used pods in your home and then must be able to withstand the demands of the journey from your household to the reprocessing plant. 

Podback bags are recycled by a facility in East Yorkshire that specialises in recycling flexible plastics, such as food wrappers and films. The facility produces plastic pellets which are used in a wide range of manufacturing industries.