re3 and Podback mark two years of coffee pod recycling service with over 3.5 million pods recycled
re3 Partnership of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs who are working with FCC Environment is marking the two-year anniversary of its coffee pod recycling service delivered with national recycling scheme Podback. Thanks to this successful collaboration, the service has reached an impressive milestone: over 3.5 million coffee pods, weighing a total of 54.4 tonnes, have now been recycled at the re3 recycling centres.
Launched in July 2023, the initiative has gone from strength to strength. In just 24 months, the service has saved the carbon and disposal costs of nearly 55 tonnes of waste, proving that even the smallest items like used coffee pods can have a big environmental impact when recycled properly.
Residents in Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Boroughs are encouraged to bring their pods in any type of bag or container to the re3 Recycling Centres and tip them loose into the dedicated Podback containers at the sites. Aluminium and plastic pods are recycled separately to maximise recovery of valuable materials. Once collected the aluminium and plastic pods are processed into new products, including beverage cans, car parts, building materials. Used coffee grounds are also recycled with other food waste and transformed by anaerobic digestion into renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver for agriculture.
In a joint statement, re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board Members, Cllr Karen Rowland, Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board and Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety; Cllr Helen Purnell, Vice-Chair of the Joint Waste Disposal Board and Bracknell Forest Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Communities and Housing and Cllr Katrin Harding, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency commented:
“Recycling 3.5 million coffee pods in just two years is a fantastic achievement and a testament to our residents' strong commitment to recycling. That is the equivalent of 4,795 cups of coffee brewed and responsibly recycled every day which is a powerful reminder that small, everyday actions can lead to significant environmental benefits. We are pleased to see this service remain popular with residents making the effort to separate even the smallest items when visiting our recycling centres.”
Scott Adams, re3 General Manager, FCC Environment added:
“The success of the re3 scheme helped pave the way for Podback collections to be introduced at other FCC Environment-operated recycling centres across the UK. We are proud to have played a part in a pioneering initiative that not only benefits the environment but also demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships and community participation.”
Rick Hindley, Executive Director of Podback, added:
“We are pleased to celebrate this two-year anniversary with re3 and applaud the residents of Bracknell, Reading, and Wokingham Boroughs for their ongoing support. As the first local authority partners to introduce coffee pod collections at Recycling Centres, re3 has set a strong example for others to follow. Recycling nearly fifty-five tonnes of pods is a great achievement and highlights the lasting impact of this collaboration.”