Darker mornings require coffee and lots of it. Now, coffee pod machines, once reserved for generous presents and wedding gift lists, have become (slightly) more affordable.

Budget supermarket Lidl has launched its own coffee pod machine to offer a cheaper alternative to what’s on the market.

The £49.99 machine is compatible with Nespresso capsules, as well as Lidl’s Bellarom pod capsules, which cost £2.69 for 10 pods and come in three intensities from Ristretto to Classico.

An estimated 30 per cent of Britons own a coffee pod machine, according to The Grocer. But unfortunately, while delicious, our coffee pod habit isn’t great for the environment – as HuffPost UK reported in January this year. 

The majority of coffee capsules are made from plastic and aluminium, which must be separated in order to be recycled and unfortunately standard recycling plants are not equipped to do this. Aluminium coffee pods reportedly take between 150 to 500 years to decompose. The good news however, is there are compostable and easily recyclable pods already on the market, and certain manufacturers are looking to develop more sustainable pods in the future. Read our guide on sustainable coffee pods here.

Josie Stone, Head of Non-Food Buying at Lidl said: “We’re always looking for new ways to perk up our customers’ day and the Bellarom pod coffee machine is no exception. Customers can enjoy ultra-smooth coffee in an instant, but without the price tag of other brands.”

The coffee pod machine is available from Sunday October 28, while stocks last.