You see, as Andreas Wilson-Späth who has a PhD in geochemistry explains:

Packaging is already a massive issue when it comes down to litter. More than two thirds of the litter found on London’s streets consist of fastfood packaging. So this fad of coffee pods ain’t helping us to move forward:

By far the majority of coffee pods on the market today are not reusable, recyclable or biodegradable in practice. Following a mounting backlash from concerned consumers, involving online videos, hashtag campaigns, websites and more, many manufacturers have been selling supposedly recyclable versions, but in most cases even those can’t be processed properly at municipal recycling plants.

The problem is that the pods are made of multiple components (paper, plastic and metal) and unless you are inclined to painstakingly take apart each one to separate these various bits by hand, recycling isn’t really a very viable proposition. In addition, many pods contain types of speciality plastics that aren’t accepted by the majority of recycling facilities.

Some companies have set up programmes that allow users to return spent pods for recycling, but critics have dismissed these as ineffective, inadequate and little more than attempts to ‘greenwash’ their products.

Even John Sylvan, the inventor, has regrets about unleashing his creation on the voracious coffee market, saying “I feel bad sometimes that I ever did it” and declaring that “no matter what they say about recycling, these things will never be recyclable”.

So, if you want to be a conscious consumer, let go of the fad that be and go for the variety of organic and Fairtrade coffee options available instead. Don’t worry, I’m sure you can find someone to hold your hand through the process.