The Body Shop has launched its Return, Recycle and Repeat scheme into 225 stores across the UK.
The innovative recycling scheme is set to run in partnership with MyGroup and Scan2Recycle, engaging with consumers to encourage recycling, create positive change and help customers to recycle things that are classed as ‘hard to recycle’.
Some cosmetic and bathroom product packaging is considered ‘hard to recycle’, meaning kerbside services won’t take it. But this scheme is designed to process and recycle the ‘non-recyclable’ material, preventing unnecessary landfill or incineration usage; instead, the waste is given a second life.
The packaging undergoes a complex process, which sees every single piece recycled, regardless of the material type. It undergoes a quarantine before washing and shredding removes any remaining make-up and product. The shredded plastic mix is heated to over 200C and pressed into 100% recycled plastic boards.
Innovators, ReWorked use the plastic boards to make furniture, shelters, bins and shop fittings. They even create children’s play equipment and furniture, which is donated to schools in need.
Izzie Glazzard, Marketing Manager, ReWorked, said:
Working with The Body Shop allows us to normalise the recycling of cosmetic and bathroom waste that would usually go to landfill or incineration. We hope in turn we can positively affect customer behaviour, encouraging responsible shopping and recycling habits.”
The Body Shop’s founder, Anita Roddick, was one of the pioneers in recycling cosmetics, as in 1993, the company introduced a Bring Back Our Bottle recycling scheme.
Linda Campbell, Managing Director UK & Ireland, The Body Shops, said:
Anita Roddick pioneered the philosophy that business can be a force for good, and this belief is still The Body Shop’s driving force. We’re constantly looking at ways to develop and improve our sustainability and create positive change.”
Return, Recycle, Repeat is just one of many recent commitments made by The Body Shop, with the view to set the highest possible bar in sustainable and ethical beauty. The brand has started to roll out a new in-store refill system on a mass-scale, and from 2023 all products will be Vegan Certified.