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With the beauty industry generating a colossal amount of waste, it’s fantastic to see a rise in beauty recycling programmes. As modern makeup lovers, many want to strike a balance between consciously consuming less and still enjoying new purchases. With companies offering more incentives to recycle our empty products, not only does this encourage us to use up what we have first, but it’s a great way to make our money go further on new beauty buys.

 

Here Are My Top Three Schemes:

 

3. Recycle & Be Rewarded With Kiehl’s

 

Kiehl’s program has been revamped since I last used it – you can now exchange empty products for loyalty points. Once you’ve recycled ten empties, you qualify for a £10 voucher to use against a full-priced product, or a free travel sized mini if you go in-store. They accept all Kiehl’s product packaging, as well as all brands of body and skincare plastic packaging, including body lotions, face creams, serums, sun creams, cleansers and face masks.

 

I’m a big fan of Kiehl’s and admire their sustainability credentials (on their website, they state that 82% of their products are made with post-consumer recycled plastic), but from a money-saving standpoint, this isn’t the most cost-effective reward scheme for the consumer. I would definitely opt for the mini product over the £10 voucher, as you can find Kiehl’s products at 20-25% off from a variety of retailers throughout the year.

 

Bonus Tip:  Keep your eyes peeled for any double reward events, where one empty counts as two!

 

2. Scan2Recycle at Boots

 

I first took part in this scheme when it was being trialled at select stores. It’s quite a faff as you have to ‘scan’ (aka photograph) each product on your phone, upload it, categorize it on their website, and wait for it to be approved (up to 24 hours, but often quicker) before heading to store to deposit. You used to qualify for £5 worth of Advantage Card Points added straight to your card when you recycled five empties. This was extremely generous, and Boots quickly revised this to £2.50 worth of points when you spend £10 in store (you have to use this voucher within 3 days of issue).

 

Boots’ beauty recycling scheme is definitely the most exhaustive in terms of the products they accept. You can recycle everything from makeup empties, to toothpaste tubes, and beauty sponges, and even electric toothbrush heads -  be sure to check their website for the full T&Cs on what’s included.

 

I really like this programme, but wish they’d meet in the middle and offer £5 in points for a £10 spend year-round. I still think it’s worth participating due to the variety of hard-to-recycle products accepted, if you spend the £10 on products that are already on offer, and if you remember to stack your Advantage Card Coupon offers on top wherever possible.

 

Bonus Tip: Boots offered double Advantage Card Points (£5 in points when you spend £10) throughout December and January, so keep a lookout on their website for future events.

 

1. BeautyCycle with My John Lewis

 

John Lewis comes in at number one with its straightforward scheme. Bring in five beauty empties from any brand to a participating store, present your My John Lewis card, and exchange your product packaging for £5 off a new item at the point of purchase. They’ll also ask you for some personal details such as name and address to log on the till, but this is pretty quick.

 

John Lewis stock a wide range of beauty brands, from classic companies such as Bobbi Brown and Clinique, to luxury powerhouses like Dior and Charlotte Tilbury. From shampoo bottles to mascara tubes (check their website FAQs for qualifying products), turn your trash into treasure, and save when you spend.

 

Bonus Tips: Stack with John Lewis’ Price Match Events to save an extra 15-20%, and keep your eyes peeled for double reward offers, when you can get £10 off in exchange for five empties.

 

Do you use any of these programmes? Let me know over on Instagram!