Good news for coffee lovers: from 1 January 2026, coffee capsules will be allowed in PMD waste. That's the abbreviation for plastic, metal and drinking cartons - and perhaps better known as PBD in your municipality. And that is not only easy for you, but also better for the world. Because even coffee capsules - yes, even with coffee grounds - can be sorted and recycled better and better. And that happens right here in the Netherlands. How does it work? We took a look at waste processor PreZero!
This is what happens to your coffee capsule
In partnership with Verpact
Thanks to smart sorting techniques and clear(er) agreements between municipalities, producers and waste processors, since 1 January 2026 more is allowed in the PMD bag, including aluminium and plastic coffee capsules. These are now allowed in the PMD together with other small aluminium packaging. At waste processor PreZero In Zwolle, aluminium coffee capsules are sorted from PMD waste. They are recognised as small metal packaging and end up in a separate aluminium waste container along with other aluminium packaging such as tea lights, dishes from takeaway meals, cat food cans and soup cans.
The collected aluminium then goes to an aluminium processor. This ensures that the stream of aluminium packaging is processed and can be remelted into new aluminium, i.e. a raw material for new products such as bicycle parts, window frames and soda cans.
The sorting process of PMD waste at PreZero. The PMD comes in and is sorted into 14 streams, including therefore aluminium to which the aluminium coffee capsule also belongs.
Donkey PMD, but with an exception for coffee capsules
Do you sometimes doubt whether something should go in the PMD? Then here's a handy mnemonic that almost always works. Is it (has it been) packaging? Does it come from a household? Is it empty? Three times ‘yes’? Then it may go in the PMD bag. But... coffee capsules are an exception to the last rule. They are exceptionally allowed in the bag with coffee grounds. The aluminium processors are equipped to remove that residue themselves later during the recycling process. Nice and easy! Although... you can also remove coffee grounds, because your plants love them!
More is allowed in PMD from now on
Coffee capsules are not the only newcomers to PMD waste. What is now also allowed in the bag - and not before - is, for example, a whipped cream aerosol can (empty!) and a combination packaging of plastic and paper such as a bread bag with a plastic window. Want to know exactly what is allowed or not? Then check the new Yes/No list below.
In doubt? Then waste separation guide.nl always a handy helpline. Bookmark it! And remember: some things really don't belong. Batteries, toys or full packaging can interfere with the recycling process or even be dangerous. You can read more about that in our article on what goes wrong with PMD. Is PMD not collected separately in your municipality? No stress. Then it will be separated and recycled afterwards. Also great!
Learn more about recycling our waste
- Also see: This is how our packaging glass is recycled.
- Also see: from gft to compost!
- Also see: The recycling of a deposit bottle.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
