Beauty, grooming and makeup packaging
Recycle at home
Recycle out of home
Yes, some make-up packaging items can be recycled at some out-of-home recycling points and new doorstep collection schemes. Find out more below.
How to take back your beauty and grooming packaging on the high street
A take-back scheme has been launched by members of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), which enables consumers to return beauty and grooming packaging currently not accepted in home recycling schemes to selected retailers. This includes high street stores such as Boots, Holland & Barratt and Superdrug.
Some retailers are even offering loyalty reward points or discounts off products as an incentive! So be sure to look out for collection points in-store.
- 1
Check the participating retailer websites for full details of the individual schemes, including which materials are accepted and which stores are taking part.
- 2
Separate anything that can be collected in your home recycling such as plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles - these need to go in your kerbside collection.
- 3
Empty and rinse - if you can, give a quick rinse of any product off or inside the items. This ensures the product doesn’t contaminate and cover other items also being collected.
- 4
Put lids and caps back on – this reduces the chance of them getting lost during the sorting process as they can be recycled separately.
Which beauty and grooming packaging items are accepted?
Plastic eyeshadow and brow palettes, concealer or eye shadow tubes (including applicator), eyeliner or concealer pens, make-up tubes and mascara tubes (including brush/wand)
Plastic combs, contact lens cases, roll-on and stick deodorants, toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and electronic toothbrush heads
Plastic body, hair and face cream pots and tubes, dropper bottles, body lotion, hand cream and sunscreen tubes
Plastic sachets, samples and hotel bottle minis, refill pouches, wipes packets and single use face and hair mask packaging
Plastic lipsticks and lip balm pots and tubes
Which beauty and grooming packaging items aren't accepted?
Aerosols, cardboard boxes and sleeves, toilet roll tubes, shampoo, shower gel and conditioner bottles - these are not accepted as part of the scheme and need to go in your home recycling collection if your local authority collects them
Hairdryers and electric tools - these are not accepted as part of the scheme and need to be recycled as small electricals at retailers, Recycling Centres and as part of your home recycling collection, if your local authority collects them
Toilet roll wrapping - this is not accepted as part of the scheme and needs to be recycled at large supermarkets in their plastic bags and wrapping collections
Wooden eyeliner, eyeshadow and concealer pencils - just plastic ones are accepted
Doorstep recycling collections for beauty, grooming and makeup packaging
There are also new ways to recycle makeup and cosmetic packaging from home.
recycle:me is a scheme offering a doorstep collection service on all hard-to-recycle plastic beauty packaging (including heavily decorated perfume bottles), available UK-wide.
For more details visit their website or download the app (Android app | Apple app).