Coffee Pods

Do not place coffee pods, aluminum or plastic, in curbside recycling.

 

Single-use coffee, hot cocoa, or other beverage pods and capsules are too small to be sorted properly at the MRF or automated recycling facility. Keurig and Cometeer have statements on recyclability but their products are NOT recyclable curbside in all communities, including Cuyahoga County.

Other Recycling Options

Other recycling options exist, including mail-back programs:

• Aluminum pods from Cometeer should be taken to a scrap metal drop-off for recycling.
• Participate in the Keurig K-Cycle Program. 
• Request a recycling bag from Nespresso for free and ship the capsules back to them. 
• Terracycle’s K-Cup and Coffee Capsules program accepts any coffee or beverage capsule, K-Cup, pack, pod, or disc.

If you choose not to use a mail-back program, consider removing the grounds and placing them in a backyard compost pile or bin before discarding the coffee pod or capsule in the trash.

 

Learn more about the plastic that can be recycled curbside in Cuyahoga County.

 

Compostable Pods

Compostable pods require a commercial composting service and are unlikely to break down in a backyard compost bin. Local commercial operations may not be equipped to process this type of compostable packaging, and you should check with your provider. Putting the wrong materials in the compost collection bin will disrupt the composting operation.

 

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.