Coffee pod capsules can now be recycled at West Berkshire’s Newtown Road and Padworth recycling centres

Coffee drinkers who enjoy a brew but hate throwing out the coffee machine pod in the process can celebrate as a new recycling scheme has been launched.

West Berkshire Council will now collect used coffee pods at its Newtown Road and Padworth recycling centres.

Residents should separate the pods into plastic or aluminium piles and place them in appropriate containers as they are recycled at different plants by Podback. They are shredded, the coffee removed, and then the raw material used to make new products such as packaging, building products and car components.

Even the coffee grounds are given a new lease of life: they will be used to create renewable energy and soil improvers.

Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill), West Berkshire Council’s executive member for environment, said he was pleased to work with Podback and recycling firm Veolia on the scheme.

“Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate drinkers can now enjoy their hot beverages knowing their plastic or aluminium pods can be recycled and go on to be made into new products, renewable energy, and improve the soil,” he said.

Executive director of Podback, Rick Hindley, said it was great to be able to expand the company’s service to West Berkshire.

“We want to make pod recycling as easy as possible, and this new service enables residents to drop off pods when convenient, alongside other recyclables, and help to reduce waste and increase recycling," he said.

And Dave Matthews, the general manager of Veolia West Berkshire, welcomed the additional service at its recycling centres.

He said: “Alongside our recently launched paint reuse scheme and a vape recycling service, this is another positive step forward.”