Marks & Spencer has enhanced its commitment to sustainability by expanding its beauty packaging recycling scheme to more stores across the UK.
- Originally launched in 40 stores in June 2023, the scheme now includes an additional 60 locations, reaching a total of 100.
- The initiative has successfully recycled over 1.6 tonnes of beauty packaging, equivalent to the weight of a small car.
- A notable product derived from this recycling effort is a wide-toothed hair comb made from at least 98% recycled materials.
- This expansion is part of M&S’s broader ‘another life’ initiative, aiming for net zero by 2040.
Marks & Spencer has significantly advanced its environmental sustainability efforts by expanding its beauty packaging recycling programme from 40 to 100 stores. This move underscores the company’s dedication to providing convenient solutions for customers to recycle their beauty product packaging. The programme, which allows the recycling of plastic or aluminium beauty packaging from any retailer, is part of M&S’s broader sustainability goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
The initiative, rolled out in June 2023, has been met with enthusiasm and practicality, processing over 1.6 tonnes of beauty packaging. M&S equates this amount to the weight of a small car, highlighting the tangible impact of the scheme. Dedicated takeback boxes have been installed in prominent locations such as Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre, Cardiff, and Inverness, further facilitating consumer participation in this green endeavour.
A unique aspect of the scheme is the production of a wide-toothed hair comb, crafted from at least 98% of the beauty packaging collected. The comb is available for purchase, both online and in selected stores, for a price of £8. This product not only serves as a testament to successful recycling efforts but also provides a practical application for the collected materials, aligning with consumer needs and sustainability goals.
This initiative is a part of M&S’s ‘another life’ campaign, where various circularity services are integrated to form a cohesive sustainability effort. Other facets of this campaign include a clothing repair service launched in collaboration with Sojo, and a long-standing partnership with Oxfam for clothing donations, previously recognised as ‘Shwopping’ since its inception in 2008. Katharine Beacham, the head of sustainability for clothing and home at M&S, expressed delight in expanding the programme, emphasising its popularity among customers looking for sustainable solutions in their daily lives.
Expanding the beauty takeback scheme reflects M&S’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and customer engagement.
