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
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
See what reviewers are saying
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
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
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
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
129 reviews
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 2 weeks
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Recycling bags rationed?? Still cant order bags....
Received 3 bags sent from Podback and recycled at local Asda (even walked there-a brisk 30 minutes).
With a bit of a backlog I tried to get more bags for aluminum pods but apparently none available until approx. 7 July.
Thanks for your response but when I select "Order Bags" in my account the response is a message that says "We're sorry but its not possible to order bags from us today....we estimate that you will be able to order more bags using your online account from 05/07/25"
16 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review.
When you log in to your account and order bags, your are able to increase the number of bags by selecting the + icon. If you need more bags, we have plenty in stock, you can complete the contact us form and we can arrange to get some sent out to you.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Yodel drop offs were everywhere
Yodel drop offs were everywhere - very few ASDA or Morrison supermarkets available unless you drive. Terrible. Podback has turned a walk into a drive when recycling is about doing the right thing. Please return to a drop off service via Collect+.
11 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Iain,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re genuinely sorry to hear that the change from Yodel to supermarket drop-off points has made recycling less convenient for you.
We understand your frustration—especially when you’ve built good habits around a system that worked well for your routine. The decision to phase out the Yodel drop-off service wasn’t taken lightly. It was based on widespread feedback from users who had negative experiences with Yodel.
That said, we completely recognise that not everyone has easy access to an ASDA or Morrisons, especially without a car. We’re actively working with our partners to improve and expand drop-off access.
In the meantime, we’d encourage you to recycle your pods as part of your regular shopping trips to help avoid additional journeys. But we do appreciate that’s not always possible.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Nearest drop-off 35miles away
Since Yodel stopped taking the Podback recycling I now have to put them in my general rubbish for landfill. My nearest drop-off point is 35miles away.
9 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Paula,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're really sorry the removal of the Yodel drop-off service has made recycling more difficult for you. Yodel should still be available for you if your nearest drop-off is 35 miles away. Please complete the Recycle Checker and it will show you the interactive map. Please Zoom in on your location and the Yodel get a label option should appear.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
No Yodel podback? Use re-usable pods instead
How have people shown a problem with using yodel to send back their used pods? That is utter nonsense. It was a simple trip to my local newsagents. Now it's a minimum 3 mile trip to a supermarket I never go to. I will be using 3rd party re-usable pods now, so that is how I will be responsible, instead of burning petrol to drop off bags. You have lost my custom and probably a lot more people feel the same.
8 May 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and we understand your frustration and decisions to move to reusable pods.
However the decision to move away from Yodel was not taken lightly and if you look at our reviews before January 2025 you will see a number of users that complained about the Yodel service. While it may have been suitable for you and others, there was a significant number of service users that had issues with Yodel stores refusing to take bags and issues printing labels. This and the need to bring pod recycling in-line with other hard to recycle items at supermarkets brought about the decision.
We are working hard to expand our network of drop-off locations and are in talks with other supermarkets and convenience store operators.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts — they have been noted and will be shared with the wider team.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Easy Recycling !
So easy now to recycle my nespresso/L'Or pods now I can pick up a free bag at Morrison's and take it back to their drop off facility. Saves so much going to general waste .
21 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased to hear that using the Podback drop-off service at Morrisons has made recycling your Nespresso and L’or pods easier. It’s great to know it’s helping you reduce general waste too.
Thanks for doing your part to recycle – every pod makes a difference!
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Recycling evolves !
Just looked into recent Trustpilot reviews (since Yodel stopped collections locally ) & see that my initial reaction of frustration was shared by several other contributors .
HOWEVER , I now find that storing up a few full green bags before going to my closest drop off point at Waitrose whilst visiting Maidenhead is the best way of moving with the times !
No longer as close a drop off point as using Yodel , but a perfectly acceptable alternative once tried out. Also no label printing as a bonus !
Presumably many more supermarket drop off points will become available over time.
Hopefully the supply of new bags will still be as simple to replenish (efficient Royal Mail delivery after ordering direct from my Podback account) .
Glad I can still do my bit for the environment .
19 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi Pete,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a glowing 5 star review! We understand that the service changes we have made are not practical for everyone but we appreciate your support of our mission, that every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled.
Kind regards,
Podback Team
No choice but to put into Landfill
I filled my podback bag as usual, only to discover Yodel are no longer being used for collections. Podback have no drop off locations near to me, so I guess the bag will go into landfill. How is this better for the environment? Why not retain Yodel until Podback has got its act together?
RESPONSE TO PODBACK’S ANSWER
Thank you for your generic response, which I have to say I found quite patronising. If I could have recycled my used pods when shopping did you not consider that I would have done so? You are clearly not actually taking any notice of the large number of one star reviews you are receiving because of this issue, merely trying to defend an ill thought out changeover to a new system which has been implemented to the detriment of a large number of conscientious consumers.
30 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Sandra,
We understand your frustration with the decision to phase out the Yodel drop-off service. This change was made in response to widespread feedback from users who experienced challenges with that option. It was not a decision taken lightly, but one made to bring the service in line with how other hard-to-recycle materials are managed.
We acknowledge that the current drop-off locations may not be convenient for everyone, and we are continuing to work with partners to expand access where possible. In the meantime, we suggest incorporating pod recycling into your regular shopping trips, rather than making a dedicated journey.
We appreciate you taking the time to let us know how this has affected you. Your comments have been shared with our wider team, and they do help shape the direction of the Podback programme.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
no more Yodel drop off service…
I'm sorry that Yodel drop off service is not available from now.. I'm with bicycle only, and it was so good to cycle a few minutes to drop off my pods. now its more than 20 minutes away.
I not gonna do that, I will put it into the general bin from now..
Such a shame..
28 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi Lajos,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're really sorry the removal of the Yodel drop-off service has made recycling more difficult for you — especially when you’d found a convenient, bike-friendly option that worked well. We understand your frustration, and it's disappointing to hear this change may stop you from recycling your pods.
This decision was made after reviewing user feedback and the need to bring the service in line with other hard to recycle items. We know it’s not ideal for everyone, but please know that we’re actively working with partners to improve access and introduce more local options where possible.
We genuinely appreciate you taking the time to let us know how this has affected you. Your comments have been shared with our wider team, and they do help shape the direction of the Podback programme.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Change, change, change
A local charity used to collect the pods and receive a small amount for their funds. That was ended so used Yodel which was reasonably convenient. Now that has stopped and only options now seem to be ASDA or Morrisons. OK if you live near one but why should I waster 1/3 to 1/2 gal of petrol to drive to one? Shall put them in general waste now.
15 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Sam,
Thank you for your feedback.
We understand the change to the Yodel service has caused inconvenience for some users, particularly where supermarket drop-off points are not nearby. We're working with partners to expand access where possible, and we genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns.
Just to clarify, Podback has never been part of any scheme that donates money in exchange for pods collected. While we’re aware that some local groups or charities may have previously collected pods independently, these arrangements were not managed or endorsed by Podback.
We know this change may not work for everyone and appreciate your frustration. Your comments have been shared with the wider team as we continue to review and develop the service.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Why did you stop using Yodel.
Why did you stop using a service that worked so well with Yodel. There is now nowhere with in a 15 mile drive to drop off the pods not very environmental friendly.We don't live in a huge city so it's not been thought out very well,, . I have a few bags full of used pods, so it looks like a 2 mile trip to my local tip and chuck them all in a skip. Thanks Podback. If you are committed to recycling would it not be better to have more places to take the returns to before you stopped using Yodel.
14 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We understand your frustration with the removal of the Yodel drop-off service, particularly if you live in an area with fewer supermarket drop-off points nearby. Please be assured this change was not made lightly, and we are continuing to work with our partners to improve access to recycling options across the country.
Due to the distance you state, Yodel may still be available to you. We suggest you complete the Recycle Checker and zoom in on your location. If Yodel does not appear, you will need to use one of our supermarket drop-off options.
We appreciate that this situation is not ideal for everyone, especially in less urban areas, and your feedback will be shared with our wider team as we look at how we can continue to improve the service.
Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Website is bad why keep up links which…
Website is bad why keep up links which don't go anywhere.Yodel worked well, one post office link goes nowhere, however did manage to find my way into another post office link and got 3 qr codes and can now drop them off at local post office. The only thing is can't remember how I found!
Lost the will now off for a cup of tea gone off coffee!
13 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Trevor,
Thanks for your review – and we’re sorry to hear the website experience left you feeling more in need of tea than coffee!
We appreciate you letting us know about the broken links, and we’d really like to investigate this further. If you're able to raise a support ticket via our website and let us know which link(s) didn’t work as expected, we can make sure they’re fixed. Your feedback helps us improve the experience for everyone, so it’s genuinely appreciated.
We're glad you were able to get your QR codes in the end, even if the journey was a bit roundabout — and we hope you’ll give the coffee another go soon!
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
They have decided to discontinue Yodel…
They have decided to discontinue Yodel due to "customer complaints" and have essentially made my return options null and void. Their map shows closest recycling as over 2 miles away which in actual journey time is an hour in no place I ever go. Very dissapointed and their lacklustre lazy generic response shows they don't actually care and have not bothered to at least find a valid or suitable alternative.
11 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Neil,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We understand your frustration with the decision to phase out the Yodel drop-off service. This change was made in response to widespread feedback from users who experienced challenges with that option. It was not a decision taken lightly, but one made to bring the service in line with how other hard-to-recycle materials are managed.
We appreciate that the current drop-off locations may not be convenient for everyone, and we are continuing to work with partners to expand access where possible. In the meantime, we suggest incorporating pod recycling into your regular shopping trips, rather than making a dedicated journey.
We’re sorry to hear you felt our previous response was generic — please be assured that we do care about all feedback and take concerns seriously. Your comments have been noted and will be shared with the team as we continue to review and develop the service.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Bad idea to stop recycling coffee pods…
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 nearest drop off suggested is an hours drive away....I also will be disposing in the bin.
Don't bother replying with your generic reply podback. Clearly people are unhappy, the new system isn't working!!!!
9 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Anne,
Thank you for getting in touch via our website and for sharing your feedback.
The pod bags dropped off at Costa Coffee in Tesco stores are collected through a 'back haul' process—this means Costa transports them to their distribution centre, where Podback then collects them. Podback does not collect pods from the stores.
We have raised your concerns with the Costa project team, as store staff should not be disposing of the bags incorrectly, and we will follow up on this to ensure the correct process is being followed.
While we appreciate that the Yodel service worked well for you, we received significant feedback from other users highlighting various challenges. This, along with the need to align with how other hard-to-recycle items are managed, led to the decision to scale back the service.
We understand your frustration, but we are not asking users to make a special trip to recycle their pods. Instead, we encourage incorporating pod drop-off as part of your regular shopping routine.
Thank you again for your feedback—it’s important to us as we continue to improve the service.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Podback are failing us
I have been recycling my Dolce Gusto plastic pods for over a year now at a local Coop garage with Yodel. I recently took some to the said Coop to find Yodel have stopped collecting them. I searched Google to find another local collection point to find the closest one was in Mansfield at Morrisons which is 5 miles from my home. I called in yesterday and was told they give out the bags but do not take back the pods, what good is that? They said I could take them to another store at Kirkby. The whole thing is ridiculous. Sadly the pods will now be going in the waste much to my disappointment
8 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Valerie,
Thank you for leaving us a review, We have recently changed our service and dialled back the Yodel option bringing it in line with other hard-to-recycle items such as batteries, printer cartridges and plastic film.
Looking at your feedback, I can see that you mention Mansfield Morrisons. However, this is location is not on our interactive map.
Please complete the recycle checker to find your nearest drop off locations. https://podback.org/recycle-checker
We are adding more locations all the time, so hopefully there will be one closer to you.
No more Yodel dropoff
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 they will now just go in the rubbish. The podback website is also pretty unusable, the map frequently zooms out or shows a pop-up that doesn't go away.
Gone from a good and reasonable solution to coffee pod waste to being completely unfeasible.
9 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello George,
As you have pointed out, we’ve recently made changes to our drop-off service, which means we are no longer collecting pods through Yodel in your area.
We understand your frustration but following customer feedback and the successful trial of pod collection points at retailers and local authority recycling centres, we have decided to prioritise the expansion of our drop-off network across these locations.
This approach is aligned with recycling solutions on offer for other hard-to recycle materials such as batteries, printer cartridges, water filters and plastic film and will enable customers to drop off their pods as part of their daily lifestyles.
We are working hard to expand our drop-off network further to increase the options for customers, and understand the challenges of built up areas like London. We are currently in discussions with other supermarkets, coffee shops and other local authorities about introducing coffee pod collection points at their sites.
Best wishes
The Podback Team
Big Step Backwards
We have used Tassimo pods, both at home and in our local business, for a number of years. The introduction of the Podback service seemed a great idea, avoiding the need to dispose of used pods in general waste. Being able to drop off filled bags at a local Yodel collection point worked well.
Unfortunately, Podback seem to have jumped the gun in dispensing with the Yodel service as they have not yet built up an adequate network of drop-off points or Council Collection points.
Our local council does not offer this service and the nearest drop-off point (Tesco in Amersham) is a 3.9 mile drive away (basically, an 8 mile round trip just to drop-off used pods - VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY AND COSTLY!
I live in Chesham and shop in local supermarkets in town. I never shop in, or near, Tesco in Amersham.
Therefore, we will be reverting to disposing of our used pods in the general waste, until such time as Podback gert their act together!
2 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Ian,
As you have pointed out, we’ve recently made changes to our drop-off service, which means we are no longer collecting pods through Yodel in your area.
We understand your frustration but following customer feedback and the successful trial of pod collection points at retailers and local authority recycling centres, we have decided to prioritise the expansion of our drop-off network across these locations.
This approach is aligned with recycling solutions on offer for other hard-to recycle materials such as batteries, printer cartridges, water filters and plastic film and will enable customers to drop off their pods as part of their daily lifestyles.
We are working hard to expand our drop-off network further to increase the options for customers, and are currently in discussions with other supermarkets, coffee shops and other local authorities about introducing coffee pod collection points at their sites.
We would also like to add that Podback is for households and not businesses. As used pods are a waste product, certain documentation is required to recycle waste from work premises such as waste transfer notes. We are looking at ways that we could offer our service to businesses and are in active discussions with potential partners to help create this service.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Completely useless
Completely useless, tried to use their bot, which was even more useless. All I want to do was drop a bag of pods off and get an address where I can do that.
Just too complicated to bother with, so they are going in the bin, which is a shame
31 March 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hello Laurence,
Thank you for your feedback. If you already have a podback bag full of pods, all you have to do is complete the recycle checker on our website. Let us know your machine type, pods and postcode and the recycle checker will show you a map of your nearest drop-off locations.
Best wishes,
The Podback Team
Recycling takes a backward step
After 3 years, suddenly there is no way to recycle my pods without a 20 mile round trip, with the withdrawal of returns via Yodel.
I now have 2 full and 7 empty bags to dump !
Going back to putting in the household rubbish is just stupid and obviously this decision was not thought through without a better network in place first.
26 March 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi Graeme,
Thank you for leaving a review and we appreciate your feedback. As you have noticed, we have made changes to our drop-off service, which means we may not be collecting pods through Yodel in your area.
Due to the distance you state, Yodel may still be available to you. We suggest you complete the Recycle Checker and zoom in on your location.
If Yodel does not appear, you will need to use one of our supermarket drop-off options and rather than make a special trip just for your pods, we are suggesting you take them when you do your shopping in line with other hard-to recycle materials (such as batteries and plastic film).
We are working hard to expand our drop-off network further to increase the options for customers, and are currently in discussions with other supermarkets, coffee shops and other local authorities about introducing coffee pod collection points at their sites.
Kind regards,
The Podback Team
A great idea!
This is one of the best ideas that local governments have had!
As a serious coffee drinker I get through about 40 Tassimo pods a week and now I can feel that I am doing one more recycling deed.
24 March 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi George,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a glowing 5 star review! We appreciate your support of our mission, that every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled.
Kind regards,
Podback Team
Won't use any more
I used this service for 2 years but because of the changes in drop off it is now a 23 mile round trip to for me so sadly i won't be using this service anymore.
24 March 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Podback
Hi Bernie,
Thank you for leaving a review and we appreciate your feedback. We’ve recently made changes to our drop-off service, which means we may not be collecting pods through Yodel in your area.
Due to the distance you state, Yodel may still be available to you. We suggest you complete the Recycle Checker and zoom in on your location. If Yodel does not appear, you will need to use one of our supermarket drop-off options.
This approach is aligned with recycling solutions on offer for other hard-to recycle materials (such as batteries and plastic film) and will enable customers to drop off their pods as part of their daily lifestyles.
We are working hard to expand our drop-off network further to increase the options for customers, and are currently in discussions with other supermarkets, coffee shops and other local authorities about introducing coffee pod collection points at their sites.
Kind regards,
The Podback Team
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
Companies can ask for reviews via automatic invitations. Labeled Verified, they’re about genuine experiences.
Learn more about other kinds of reviews.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.