Starbucks has expanded its partnership with coffee pod recycling scheme, Podback, running across all of its 1,250 UK coffee shops.
Podback is a recycling programme for coffee pods created in partnership with Nespresso, Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Tassimo.
Starbucks UK is now offering customers of Starbucks At Home range the option to pick up Podback’s free drop-off recycling bags. These can be filled with used coffee pods at home, then taken to one of 6,500 Yodel drop-off points around the UK. All postage is free of charge.
Podback also offers kerbside collection of pods, as part of household waste and recycling services, to 1.5 million households in 21 UK local authorities.
Coffee pods in the Starbucks by Nespresso and Starbucks by Nescafe Dolce Gusto ranges have been accepted for recycling through Podback since the scheme launched in April 2021.
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In the last year, an estimated 800 million coffee pods were purchased in the UK, highlighting the growing need for customers to have a more accessible recycling option for their pods.
Starbucks UK director of sustainability Jacqui Wetherly said: “With our customers already using Podback to recycle our pods at home, we are delighted to offer them an easier way to pick up their bags from our outlets.
“We are committed to our continued journey of reducing the environmental impact of all of our coffee products, from the beans to the milks we use and the way it is served. This partnership is another step towards making this possible.”
Rick Hindley, executive director, Podback, said: “Partnering with one of the world’s best-known coffee brands is a sign of the considerable progress that Podback has made towards establishing a convenient and simple way for people to recycle used pods.
“Starbucks support makes it even easier for coffee pod users to start recycling, as they can now pick up a Podback bag at any of our coffee shops across the UK.”
Last year, Starbucks was urged to reveal where it sources its cocoa products by a coalition of global NGOs including Mighty Earth, Be Slavery Free, Freedom United and Green America.
