Nestlé and JDE Peet’s team up to introduce UK coffee pod recycling scheme

Nestlé and Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK (JDE UK, part of the JDE Peet’s Group) have teamed up to create Podback: a first of its kind recycling programme for coffee pods. The scheme, which will launch in early 2021, will cover brands such as Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. The companies will further expand the programme to cover all coffee brands that use plastic or aluminium pods in the UK.

Podback, a not-for-profit organisation, is the UK’s first cross-industry collaboration of its kind within the coffee sector, Nestle said.

Guillaume Chesneau, Managing Director, Nespresso UK and Ireland, Board Director of Podback, said: “As co- founders of the scheme, as well as pioneers of the minimal-waste portioned coffee system, we are excited to build on our strong existing recycling services already in place. Our ambition is to create a powerful end-to-end recycling solution, available to all, and Podback demonstrates our commitment towards achieving this important goal.”

“We are working closely with manufacturers, retailers and local authorities and calling upon them to join us and ensure the scheme has maximum impact.”

Toby Bevans, Marketing Director, JDE UK and Ireland, Board Director of Podback, said: “We are proud to be a co-founder of Podback in the UK, working to ensure that every pod enjoyed, is easily recycled.

“Together with Nestlé, we are calling on the entire industry to put commercial rivalries aside and collaborate, working together with other brands and retailers to make it as easy as possible for our consumers to recycle their pods.”

The announcement after new research reveals more than a third (35%) of coffee pod drinkers unaware that pods can be recycled. Consumers will be able to recycle pods via Collect+, kerbside collection, and retailer ‘handover at home’ schemes. 

Richard Howatson, Business Unit Manager, Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Starbucks at Home, said: “There is power in collaboration and we know that by joining forces we can have even greater influence over the recycling rate of pods. Over the months ahead, we’ll be working closely with local authorities and other partners to make this a reality through Podback – meaning coffee drinkers will have a simple and effective way to recycle their pods, whichever brand they choose.”