Cheltenham residents will be able to recycle their coffee pods in their kerbside recycling collections next year.

From Spring 2021, the new scheme will encourage residents to collect their plastic and aluminium coffee pods and then put them out for recycling as part of kerbside collections, helping to increase recycling across the borough.

The council has said it is one of the first in the UK to expand its kerbside recycling to include coffee pods with the Podback scheme.

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member clean and green environment, said: "Together, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Cheltenham has increased the amount of waste it recycles and introducing kerbside collection schemes for previously non-recyclable items such as coffee pods will help us keep on improving.

"We're delighted to be working with Podback to offer our residents a way to recycle their coffee pods from their homes, particularly now many of us are doing more home working.

"Recycling is one of the easiest steps we can all take to protect the environment, and we're looking forward to bringing this new offer to our residents early next year."

"Thanks to everyone taking the time to sort their recycling in their boxes and bags, Cheltenham's recycling rates have increased from 51.23 per cent at the end of 2019/20 to 53.98 per cent at the end of September 2020.

"This is a fantastic result. Together we can continue and improve even further."