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See what reviewers are saying

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great service to get Royalmail to collect from your doorstep ( you have to now book via Nespresso website but didn’t used to). We fill a bag to the line each month, it would be good to get more places... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Really terrible service. Impossible to locate recycling bags. Tried every Starbucks in my area, also in London Kings Cross station, also various Morrisons. None of them had heard of Podback. Wrote dir... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad idea to stop recycling coffee pods through Yodel. It worked! My new local drop off point (Tesco) won't accept them as podback aren't picking up, they are throwing them in the skip!....Next neare... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Without the Yodel dropoff, which I've being doing for the last year, their nowhere in a reasonable distance for me to recycle my pods. There are barely any locations in London. It's disappointing as... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Garbage Collection Service

Written by the company

Podback: the UK's coffee pod recycling service. We are working with coffee brands, retailers, local authorities and recyclers to give your used coffee pods a new life—from plastic and aluminium turned into new products to coffee grounds used to create renewable energy and soil improver. With a growing network of drop-off points available in supermarkets, coffee shops and recycling centres, we’re working on ways to make recycling pods part of your regular routine. Podback is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by our member brands.


Contact info

  • Suite 4, 4 Hilliards Court, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QP, Chester, United Kingdom

  • podback.org

2.7

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

129 reviews

5-star
4-star
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2-star
1-star

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

POD recycling

This is a great easy to use service.
You drop off your filled Pod bag into a designated box in Costa and you can pick up another empty Pod bag for future use.
There is no going on line to register required return, no printing off labels, at home or in shop.
This service is really handy as you can use it at the same time as shopping.

October 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Annette,

Thank you for your glowing 5-star review! We truly appreciate that you're making the most of the Costa Coffee drop-off trial at your local Tesco and playing a key role in its success.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

GREAT SERVICE!

I'm really pleased that this is being trialled at Costa Coffee. It's an excellent service, very convenient. I hope it is successful so I can carry on using it.

October 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Yvonne,

Thank you so much for your glowing 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear you're enjoying the Costa Coffee trial and truly appreciate your support. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very convenient to drop pods off while…

Very convenient to drop pods off while doing my Tesco shop. There's a collection box by the entrance of the cafe when Costa is closed, you just can't get a replacement bag outside of Costa opening hours but as I already request these online it's not a major issue

October 3, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Jo,

Thank you for your glowing 5-star review! We truly appreciate that you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and playing a key role in its success.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Simple Recycling

Just take your sealed bag to Costa (Dalmarnock, Glasgow) and ask for a new bag. Easy. Friendly staff. Great idea, I hope it continues after January’25. Thank you Podback and Costa 👍

October 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Maggie,

Thank you for leaving us a glowing 5 star review. We are so pleased to read that you are making the most of the Costa Coffee trial. With your support we can make this a success and can we expand it further.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

SO EASY... no excuse not to recycle!

Podback makes it so easy to recycle pods. We were using the home label and drop off at parcel shop locally. Recently, we have used the Tesco drop offs as we go there weekly. Really pleased with the system. There can be no reason not to recycle these pods.

October 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Kevin,

Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy to hear you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and finding the drop-off more convenient than printing labels and taking to your local parcel shop. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

No need for labels!…

The ability to drop off bags without needing to print labels for one,! Also Tesco where the Costa is is only a mile or two away and we visit it at least twice a week.

October 14, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Adrian,

Thank you for your fantastic 5-star review! We're delighted to hear you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and that the drop-off process is more convenient than Yodel returns. Your feedback means so much to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Dropped pods off at Costa in beccles…

Dropped pods off at Costa in beccles which is so easy. 3 star awarded as been in twice now and no replacement bags to start recycling again

October 3, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, We are glad to read that your are finding the Costa Coffee drop-off more convenient than Yodel returns. We will pass your feedback on to our Costa Coffee contact to investigate the bag supply issue.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

Excellent service. Hope this continues. Much better than sending by post

October 9, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi,

Thank you so much for leaving a 5-star review! We're so happy to hear you're finding the Costa Coffee drop-off more convenient than Yodel returns. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It’s so convenient

It’s so convenient. We had trouble using Yodel as they often didn’t collect from the drop off point which meant the point wouldn’t accept anymore bags. No need to print labels and you get a bag, plus you enjoy a Costa coffee instore too

September 30, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Anne,

Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy to hear you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and finding the drop-off more convenient than Yodel returns. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No participating stores in Milton…

No participating stores in Milton Keynes! Means recycling is way out of my reach.

October 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. The nearest participating Costa Coffee is in Wolverton (MK12 5RJ). If the trial is successful, we hope to expand it further.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

So easy & convenient

So easy to take back to Costa @ Tesco, because it’s so convenient & no labels required, just bag & drop. Thanks for making recycling easy

September 25, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Sammy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy to hear you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and truly appreciate your support. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Much better!

So much easier to take in our coffee pods now, without having to fill a form in online and get a label printed off.

October 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Emma,

Thank you so much for your glowing 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear you're taking advantage the Costa Coffee trial and truly appreciate your support. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great idea for recycling pods

After losing our closest drop off point this new one inside Tesco Barking is brilliant, now we can drop off at the same time as we are shopping - so much more convenient. One draw back other lazy customers use the drop off point as a rubbish bin.

October 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Trip,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're delighted that you're enjoying the Costa Coffee trial and are grateful for your support. We will pass your feedback on to our Costa Coffee contact to investigate.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great new recycling points at Tesco Costa's

Great that pods can now be dropped off and bags obtained from Costa at my local Tesco.
Makes recycling even easier and now is just part of my weekly shopping visit. Well done Costa and Podback - keep up this great partnership!

October 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Keith,

Thank you for your glowing 5-star review! We truly appreciate that you're making the most of the Costa Coffee trial and playing a key role in its success.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recycling pods

I find this a very worthwhile opportunity to recycle my pods and it's not going to landfill please extend beyond 2025

October 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hello Mrs Fish,

Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted that you're enjoying the Costa Coffee trial and are grateful for your support and invaluable feedback.

Kind regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It’s much easier to drop off bags at…

It’s much easier to drop off bags at Tesco Costa outlets , now I don’t have to print and attach labels and take to a yodel agent

October 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Gary,

Thank you so much for your glowing 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear you're enjoying the Costa Coffee trial and truly appreciate your support. Your feedback means the world to us!

Kind regards,
Podback Team

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Hugely time consuming to do the right…

Hugely time consuming to do the right thing and recycle Tassimo pods. An order of 20 packs of cappuccino gets 2 recycle bags, which means going online and ordering more as each bag will only hold about 30 individual pods. Each Yodel label has to be downloaded individually and printed off, then trimmed and sellotaped to the bag. I tried photocopying 2 labels to save multiple downloads, but then the scanning at the drop off point doesn't work and I ended up bringing all the pods back home! Why these need to be tracked with a unique bar code is beyond me. Sadly future pods are going in the bin as there is nowhere locally I can recycle without all thr Yodel faff! Needs a much simpler system.

September 21, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Graham,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We’re really sorry to hear that your experience with Podback hasn’t met your expectations.

Looking at your review, there appears to be some confusion about the Yodel returns option you are currently using. Firstly, Please bear in mind that each bag needs its own label so remember to book them in separately. So you cannot photocopy multiples of a label.

Rather than printing off your labels at home and sticking them on, we suggest you opt to print out your labels in store. You can do this simply by going to the Podback website and logging in, selecting 'get a returns label' and then opting to 'print in store'. If you have multiple bags to return, you will need to complete this process multiple times.

We hope this helps, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us through our chat feature on the Podback website.

Kind regards,
Podback Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Really terrible service

Really terrible service. Impossible to locate recycling bags. Tried every Starbucks in my area, also in London Kings Cross station, also various Morrisons. None of them had heard of Podback. Wrote direct to Podback requesting bags be sent direct to my address. No response. The idea sounds good, their operation is woeful.

September 20, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi John,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We’re really sorry to hear that your experience with Podback hasn’t met your expectations.

We have noted that you have raised a support ticket with us on our website and are investigating the Starbucks and Morrisons in your area to ascertain why they are not aware of the service which should be running at their locations.

We are also running a 12 week trial with Costa Coffee where 133 Costa Coffee shops in Tesco supermarkets are now handing out and taking in full Podback bags. us the store locator on our website to see if there is a participating store near you. https://podback.org/store-locator/costa-coffee

If you have any further concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via the chat feature on our website.

Best regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No bags and poor service

We have been using the Podback scheme through Wolverhampton City Council for a couple of years now. They arrange collections from home, so we always bulk the full bags to make it worthwhile/efficient to collect.

All had seemed well to start with: we ordered bags, they arrived, we filled them and arranged a collection through the Council - they the arrived and collected them. All good so far.

It all went smoothly until about 12 months ago when we were getting low on our bag supply.

We have ordered replacement bags on at least 5 occasions and none have yet materialised.

The worst was the last collection we arranged in late August 24. The collection happened as scheduled, but appeared to be provided by children who threw the bags a in a parabolic arc into the back of a flatbed vehicle scattering the contents, a considerable number of which flew onto the road (only a few of them were picked up).

Before I consider continuing participation in the service, I'd like some feedback (and new bags…!)

My last bag is now completely full and I am wondering if it's worthwhile continuing.

August 16, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi John,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We’re really sorry to hear that your experience with Podback hasn’t met your expectations.

While Wolverhampton City Council is responsible for supplying the bags, we understand the frustration caused. We’ve spoken with them and learned that they had run out of stock, but rest assured, we’ve now dispatched a new supply of kerbside bags, which will be distributed shortly.

In the meantime, if you'd prefer, we’d be happy to send some kerbside bags directly to you. Simply visit our website and start a chat with our customer service team, and we’ll arrange this right away.

Regarding your collection experience, we will pass on your feedback to our contacts at Wolverhampton City Council and investigate the incident to prevent future issues.

If you have any further concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via the chat feature on our website.

Best regards,
The Podback Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Serious logistical issues…

Obtaining bags was easy but drop off process very challenging. Initially attempted to drop off at my local morrisons but no collection bin existed and staff were clueless. I was asked to leave it alongside some items for the foodbank and pretty sure it ended up in the bin.

Next decided to go the Yodel route. Printing the return labels in store was easy and bags were posted for recycling…or so I thought…

Second Yodel attempt the cashier looked me in the eye and said ‘I wouldn’t waste your time love, the delivery driver is gonna pick up these bags and put them straight in the bin’.

Disappointed to say the least. Avoid this service.

August 19, 2024
Unprompted review
Podback logo

Reply from Podback

Hi Oma, Thank you for leaving a review. We apologise that you have not had a positive experience.

In regards to Morrisons, not all stores are part of the trial. However the trial will be expanded to nationwide in the next few months. We are also running a 12 week trial with Costa Coffee where 133 Costa Coffee shops in Tesco supermarkets are now handing out and taking in full Podback bags.

Our Yodel service is still running across the country. In order for us to rectify the issue at your Yodel drop off points, please could you go over to our website and raise an issue in the chatbot and let us know which Yodel points you are experiencing the issues, we can then feed this back to our Yodel account manager.

Many thanks,
Podback Team

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