Major changes coming to nine Swindon Costa stores

In collaboration with Podback, a UK-wide coffee pod recycling service, customers will now be able to pick up free Podback recycling bags in-store and return them once full for Podback to collect and recycle.

The scheme is being tested for five months in all 133 Costa Coffee stores located in Tescos around the UK, as well as the nine Costa Coffee stores in the Swindon area.

Coffee pods that can be returned and recycled include both plastic and aluminium pods from any Podback member brands, including Nespresso, Tassimo and NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machines.

Swindon has specifically been chosen as the town to try out the new scheme in its main stores (Image: Newsquest)

“We are always looking for new ways to make it easier for our customers to recycle our packaging," said Liz Higgins, head of sustainability at Costa Coffee. 

"Through this trial with Podback, in-store drop-off points will offer coffee pod users the chance to conveniently recycle their pods with us – whether they are Costa branded or not.

"The new front-of-house recycling units will be supported by increased messaging in store, which we hope will act as a reminder to customers when visiting our participating stores.

"The trial will allow us to gather valuable customer feedback and insights, which we will use to enhance our future recycling solutions for pods, cups, and other packaging materials.”

The Swindon stores where you can try the new recycling points include: Havelock Street, The Parade, Swindon Rail Station, Swindon Outlet Centre Food Market, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Greenbridge Retail Park, Costa Drive Thru at Lydia and two at Swindon Orbital.

Customers will be able to recycle coffee pods used in their own home (Image: Getty)

The aluminium will be used in the manufacture of beverage cans and car components, and the plastic used in the manufacture of a range of items. The used coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.

Rick Hindley, executive director of Podback, added: “This trial gives Podback customers the opportunity to drop off their used pods at local Costa Coffee stores, a response to customer feedback telling us people want a choice of ways to recycle that fit with their daily lives.

"We are excited to be working with Costa Coffee and Tesco to make this a reality in more than 140 locations across the country.

"We are sure Podback customers will welcome the new service, and hope that it is the first step to rolling out more drop-off locations throughout the UK.”