Recycle Your Empty Beauty Products for Rewards
In this post, I would like to share how I recycle my empties from beauty products and how you can too earn some rewards. I have noticed, that more brands in the last few years are offering refillable, sustainable and more natural products. Top brands like the Body Shop, L’Occitane, Kehl’s and others have launched the refillable offers. For many years, many brands have supported idea of zero carbon emission and recycling. The REN skincare ( I have posted about the best glycolic masks by REN) has a zero waste in its core mission, they have indeed used recycled plastic to create tubes, partnered with TerraCycle to create first recycled bottle. Another example is Weleda UK (one of my most favourite skincare brands for its natural ingredients) has partnered with a professional waste management firm ENVA and dedicated to TreeSisters charity to plant more trees. So here is how you can earn rewards by recycling beauty products.
Here are my favourite recycling programs in the UK:
1. Boots
Boots has a large network of recycling facilities around the UK, ask or search for the small carton green box around N7 cosmetics aisle. Before bringing the empties, download the Boots app, register and scan the products. Then, wait for the approval by Boots. Once these products are approved, bring these to the shop and scan the code on the side of the box. You will receive 500 points voucher straightaway through the app. The next step is to activate this voucher and spend 10 pounds in store (activation is valid only for 30 mins, so do the shopping beforehand). That’s it, use the voucher at the check out and enjoy the reward. Most shops have these recycling points, but you can also check here. The link Boots (scan items via app from 2025)
2. Weleda UK recycling program
Weleda skincare (together with Nivea) is one of the oldest Swiss companies established in 1921! It not only manufactures the products, but also source the best ingredients possible, including growing these in their 13 acres of land, you can find a post by Little Green Space, who has visited it here. I am not affiliated with Weleda by any way, but I care a lot nowadays what I put on my skin and reading the ingredients’ lists on Weleda products I have a confidence these are mainly derived from the essential oils. Here the link Weleda UK recycling program
Weleda has partnered with many companies like ENVA, TreeSisters, Terracycle and many more to recycle the empties from products at no cost to customers. I save the empties, then print a label from Weleda website and dispatch at the post office for recycling. I found this very convenient and highly recommend to you too for a good-feeling reward! Recycling — Weleda
3. John Lewis
Similar to Boots, John Lewis has a great option for a small reward. If you are a John Lewis member (if not, why not to register for amazing offers, including tasty free coffee?) you will receive 5 pounds off when your purchase is over 50 pounds in total. Here are the brands JL will accept for recycling: Aromatherapy Associates, Aveda, Chloe, Elemis, Evolve Organic Beauty, L’Occitane, Le Labo, Neom Organics London, Pai, Rituals, Sunday Riley. They do not accept glass containers (try Boots first, if not damp into glass recycling near household waste bin) and no aerosols ( I am writing an article on this, switch to aluminum free options anyway!). JL has also posted a large mission statement not only to reduce to zero carbon waste, but also repurpose and recycle own brands waste. It is better than nothing reward, as minimum purchase price is a bit high, however it may suits you. The Link John Lewis recycling
4. L’occitane
L’occitane is a wonderful skincare from France, which is at higher price range than Weleda. This company has built its success on the Immortelle essential oil, derived from Helychryse (Immortelle) plant, growing in Corsica. I have not yet tried any products with this, but it is definitely on my list and I will post if it is worth the money and if you are already using it, post in the comments below about any changes to your skin. If you do use this brand and wanting to get 10% discount on future purchases, all you need to do is rinse the empties and bring to the boutique. Apparently, they also accept other brands for recycling, which is event better to recycle beauty products for rewards. The link L’occitane recycling with a discount reward
5. MAC
MAC has a Back-to-Mac program and they recycle all MAC products, by cleaning and pelletizing them to then use as new MAC products or convert. So why not bring it to their stores for recycling.
6. Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown has only the recycling program for cupboard packaging, but still good. I have noticed the Back to Mac boxes, I believe you also get a sample of MAC cosmetics in return.
7. Terra Cycle
Terra Cycle recycling of many items, not only beauty products, but anything from Gillette, Babybells, Flash wipes and dust pads, water filters etc . I use this service to recycle tooth brushes and heads from electric ones. You can pre-order the Green envelope and post free of charge The Fullgreen® Recycling Envelope | TerraCycle® UK · TerraCycle. You need to register and find the brand via search, for instance Philips, then print label, stick to the any envelope or used carton box and post it. The Philips Dental Care Free Recycling Programme | TerraCycle® UK · TerraCycle. Here is you can also recycle beauty products, like Murad cosmetics.
