Abstract The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of upflow anaerobic fixed bed reactors filled with espresso coffee capsules to treat sanitary sewage. Three reactors (R1, R2 and R3) were constructed in blue PVC pipes measuring 30 cm height and 150 mm diameter and filled with coffee capsules made of aluminum and plastic. The sewage from the pre-treatment phase of the wastewater treatment plant of the Federal University of Lavras fed the system. Temperature, pH, alkalinity and volatile acids concentration, COD, TS, TVS and TSS of the influent and effluent were analyzed to evaluate the reactors performances. Statistics tests were run in the software Statistica 10. Changes occurred in the organic loading rates caused two different operating phases, one at an OLR of 2.1 kg COD m-3d-1 and another at 4.0 kg COD m-3d-1. The average temperature during the monitoring period was 18°C. In spite of the operating conditions variations, the reactors showed satisfactory performances, presenting COD efficiency removals up to 80% in both phases. The capsules characteristics were similar to other materials used as support. Hence, it is possible to utilize coffee capsules as support material in anaerobic reactors, providing satisfactory pollutants removal efficiencies.