Marks and Spencer (M&S) is the latest retailer to launch an in-store beauty recycling scheme.
Consumers can now return their empty beauty product packaging to more than 40 M&S stores across the UK, including pumps, pots, compacts, jars, tubes, lids, toothbrushes and razor handles.
M&S predicts the initiative, launched in partnership with beauty recycling specialist Handle, will collect more than two tonnes of packaging within its first year, turning it into new packaging and products and preventing it from going to landfill.
Today, only around 9-50% of packaging is recycled in the UK, according to current estimates, while 120 billion units are produced globally every year.
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“We’re passionate about creating simple solutions that help our customers live lower carbon lives,” said Carmel McQuaid, Head of ESG at M&S.
“Plastic is one of the biggest challenges facing the beauty industry and while there is still lots more to do, we hope this scheme encourages customers to recycle their beauty empties to give them a second life and reduce the amount of packaging that goes to landfill.”
As a further incentive, M&S is also offering shoppers a 10% discount on beauty products when they bring back their empties until 5 July.
The scheme is part of M&S’ ongoing Plan A sustainability initiative, which has seen the retailer cut plastic use by 80% by switching to refill alternatives across its Apothecary range, according to its 2023 sustainability report.
It joins an ever-growing list of beauty players investing in in-store recycling schemes including Sephora, Harrods and The Body Shop.
