Podback is the first-of-its-kind recycling scheme for coffee pods, set up by the two biggest players in the UK coffee industry, Nestlé and Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK. Today it announces the appointment of Rick Hindley as its first Executive Director.

Podback provides simpler ways for people to recycle their coffee pods and is now live across the UK, offering a nationwide Collect+ drop-off service and kerbside collection in eligible local authority areas*. Rick will lead the next phase of Podback’s growth, including:

Expanding the number of local authorities partnered with the scheme, so kerbside can be available to even more consumers.

Partnering with retailers to offer a ‘handover at home’ option, meaning that consumers can have their used coffee pods collected for recycling when they have their groceries delivered.

Onboarding new members to include all coffee brands that use plastic or aluminium pods in the UK, so consumers can use one simple scheme for all their pods.

Rick Hindley, Executive Director, Podback, said: “Throughout my career I’ve been committed to advancing the sustainable packaging agenda and I’m excited to lead this unique initiative into the next phase of its growth.

“By uniting the industry around a common goal of making recycling simple for people, we can deliver on Podback’s ambition of a world where every coffee pod enjoyed is easily recycled.

“I look forward to working closely with manufacturers, retailers and local authorities over the coming months to make coffee pods more sustainable and create a more circular economy for the future.”

Guillaume Chesneau, Board Director of Podback and Managing Director, Nespresso UK and Ireland, said: “Rick’s experience means he will bring unparalleled knowledge of the recycling sector as well as a deep understanding of policy and experience engaging with all levels of government and stakeholders, including local authorities. This will be crucial as we continue on Podback’s journey to make recycling coffee pods as easy as possible for consumers.”

Toby Bevans, Board Director of Podback, Marketing Director, JDE UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Rick on board as Podback’s first Executive Director. We know how important offering a comprehensive and easy recycling scheme is for customers – 90% of coffee pod users say they would like to be able to recycle their coffee pods alongside their household recycling**. With Rick’s appointment, we’re one step closer to being able to do this.”

Rick has had a 30-year career in recycling and waste management, most recently as Executive Director at Alupro, the organisation representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry. During his tenure, aluminium packaging saw record-breaking recycling rates, with data for the first three months of 2021 suggesting continued growth.

Visit www.podback.org to find out more information about the scheme.

*Brands initially covered are Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Starbucks by Nespresso, Starbucks by Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Tassimo and L’OR.

** The polling was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Podback, between 9-11 September 2020. Total sample size was 4,323 adults.