M&S expands beauty takeback to 100 stores

First launched in 40 stores in June 2023, the scheme allows customers to recycle plastic or aluminium beauty packaging from any retailer.

M&S has now rolled out its dedicated takeback boxes to a further 60 stores including Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre, Cardiff, and Inverness. 

Since launching, the scheme has processed over 1.6 tonnes of beauty packaging, the equivalent of a small car, the retailer said. It has produced a wide-toothed hair comb made from at least 98% of the beauty packaging collected, in partnership with cosmetics recycler Handle. The comb will be available to purchase online and in selected stores for £8.

The beauty recycling scheme forms part of the retailer's "another life" initiative, which brings together its circularity services into one place. These include the beauty takeback scheme, clothing repair service with Sojo, launched in August, and its long-running clothes donation partnership with Oxfam, which was formerly known as "Shwopping" and first introduced in 2008.

Katharine Beacham, head of sustainability of clothing and home at M&S, said: "Since launching last year, our beauty takeback scheme has proven hugely popular, providing a convenient option for customers to recycle their beauty products.

"We’re delighted to be able to introduce the scheme to even more of our stores across the UK this month, to enable them to give their empty beauty packaging another life."