COFFEE pods are easy to use and go well with the quick pace of our modern lives, but they can generate a lot of unnecessary waste, with millions thrown away every year.

It is thought that 95 million cups of coffee are drunk daily in the UK, with half of regular coffee drinkers using capsules.

That's a great news for the coffee industry but sadly not for our planet with 95 per cent of capsules on the market made of aluminium and plastic, which are not disposed of correctly.

In fact, less than one in five people are aware that aluminium capsules that go to landfill can take up to 500 years to biodegrade.

And about 42 per capsule users admit throwing them in their everyday bin. A sobering thought.

But don't despair there are many ways you can do your bit for the environment without ditching your favourite coffee pods.

Here's what you need to know.

Why are coffee pods bad for the environment?

The usual coffee pods are made from plastic, aluminium or a mix of both.

This means the pods are difficult to process in standard recycling plants.

And the materials can take up to 500 years to decompose naturally in a landfill.

Some company's like Nespresso and Nescafe's Dolce Gusto are trying to their bit by running their own recycling programmes.

For example, Nespresso customers can buy a special recycling bag from the company's shop or online and bring it back to a store or book a home collection once the bag is filled with used capsules.

It's seems fairly easy but the company told consumer group Which? that just 21 per cent of pods are collected via its recycling scheme, which means that consumers are not recycling the capsules, even though it is actually possible.

Which eco friendly coffee pods work with my coffee machine?

This will depend on the machine you have at home.

You'll need to always make sure you check the pods you're buying are compatible with the appliance you have at home.

Many small independent companies are bringing out compostable pods as an alternative to the classic Nespresso capsules, so you'll be spoilt for choice.

But bear in mind that these won't usually fit into Nespresso's latest Vertuo machines.

Earlier this year, Lavazza also became the largest coffee maker to launch its own range of compostable single-use pods.

There are seven flavours in the range including sweet blends from Central and South America as well as  dark and creamy flavours from Brazil.

What's the difference between biodegradable, compostable and recyclable?

This can be confusing.

Biodegradable and compostable are two words which are often used to say the same thing when we talk about recycling – but there's a slight difference.

Compostable products are biodegradable, but with an added benefit – when they break down, they release valuable nutrients into the soil, aiding the growth of trees and plants.

Biodegradable material will also break down quickly and safely into compounds but they can leave a small trace.

So, to improve your green credentials, it's usually preferable to use disposable products that are labelled "compostable" as opposed to just "biodegradable".

Recyclable products are something else entirely.

These are products that can be collected to produce new items and are essential in diverting waste from landfills.

Common recyclable material include paper, cardboard and glass among others.

Best all rounder

• Bold El Salvador, £3.75 for 10 pods on Roar Grill – buy here

The Roar Grill coffee pods tick all of our eco-needs without compromising on taste.

Their coffee is absolutely delicious, intense and creamy – just what we want from our morning brew.

An ethical company through and through, it always pays its farmers more than the Fairtrade price while all their coffee is organic and sourced sustainably.

Roar Grills use cornstarch-based bioplastic that is certified to be 100 per cent compostable along with their packaging.

You can choose between three flavour include Bold El Salvador, Exotic Brazil and Rare Colombia or opt for a starter pack with 40 coffee pods for less than £18.

Best big brand

• Lavazza, Lungo Dolce, £3.40 for 16 capsules on Lavazza – buy here

Lavazza is aiming to replace its entire range of at home capsules with these delicious and 100 per cent industrially compostable capsules by the end of the year.

The Eco Caps retain their distinctive full-bodied aroma for longer, thanks to the innovative, "aroma safe" technology, which keeps each capsule fresh for up to 18 months.

Composting of the Eco Caps can take up to six months providing they are correctly disposed in the food waste bin.

Best for your wallet

• Dualit, Sumatra Mandheling, £2 for 10 pods on Ocado – buy here

If you're the lucky owner of a Dualit or a classic Nespresso machine, these pods are a great budget alternative.

At just 20p per capsule, you can enjoy a 100 per cent Arabica Fairtrade coffee with notes of velvety milk chocolate and tropical fruits and a malty sweet finish.

Dualit is also fairtrade certified meaning the coffee is source from small farms, helping communities thrive.

Best eco-credentials

• Cru Kafe, Organic Indian, £5.29  for 10 capsules on Selfridges – buy here

Cru Kafe has been selling organic and Fairtrade coffee since 2013 but now it's recyclable too.

Its coffee comes in a recyclable pod (and packaging) that can be thrown out with your regular recycling.

The brand only ever uses coffee that’s been untouched by chemical pesticides and fertilisers, so you'll get a great-tasting cuppa with as low a environmental footprint as possible.

Bear in mind that you’ll need to scoop out the coffee first though before putting them into the recycling bin – but it only takes a minute.

Compatible with all Nespresso machines, you'll get to choose between several roasts depending on whether you prefer a stronger or lighter brew.

We recommend its Organic Indian – a strong, full-bodied coffee with a smokey aroma and a mild sweetness.

Best packaging

• Grind Coffee Pods, £9.95 for 21 pods on Amazon – buy here

Founded in East London in 2011, Grind has grown into an eclectic group of cafe and restaurants across  the capital and now you can enjoy their delicious coffee at home.

The brand offers organic and compostable pods that are compatible with all original Nespresso Machines.

London Grind  also prides itself on working exclusively with farms who pay a fair wage to their workers and aim to reinvest in their communities.

The best thing? Their stylish (and 100 per cent recyclable tins) are perfect to store your coffee pods.

Once you're done with a tin, don't throw it away, get refills instead.

They come in a Letterbox-friendly refill pack, which contains 30 pods.

We've launched Sun Selects so that you could find everything you might need when shopping around the web.

Did you like our round-up of the best sustainable coffee pods? Take a look at our guide of the best coffee machines on the market.

If you want to read more about the best kitchen appliances, check out our dedicated home section.

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