M&S expands Beauty Takeback Scheme to 100 stores across the UK

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has expanded its Beauty Takeback Scheme in collaboration with recycling partner HANDLE, now reaching a total of 100 stores across the UK. This recent extension adds 60 new locations to the programme, including major sites like Birmingham Bullring, Cardiff, and Inverness, making the scheme accessible to a broader customer base.

First launched in June 2023 as part of M&S’s Plan A roadmap toward Net Zero, the Beauty Takeback Scheme allows customers to recycle a variety of beauty packaging materials, such as plastic and aluminium bottles, tubes, caps, pumps, and tubs from any brand. Collection boxes for these items are available in participating stores’ beauty sections.

Since its introduction, the scheme has collected and processed over 1.6 tonnes of beauty packaging, equivalent to the weight of a small car, potentially diverting this waste from landfill. Through its partnership with HANDLE, M&S has utilised the recycled materials collected to create a wide-toothed hair comb, made from at least 98% recycled content. This comb is now available in selected stores and online for £8.

The initiative with HANDLE is a component of M&S's broader circularity strategy, known as Plan A "Another Life," which consolidates the company’s sustainability services. Alongside the Beauty Takeback Scheme, this approach includes a new repair service in partnership with SOJO and a long-standing clothing donation collaboration with Oxfam, formerly branded as "Shwopping." Together, these programmes support M&S's commitment to fostering a circular economy.

Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability, Clothing & Home at M&S, said: At M&S, we want to play our part in driving a more circular economy and the circularity services we offer are key to this. 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.

Under Plan A, M&S's circularity efforts emphasise two main areas: designing durable products and providing services that allow customers to extend the life of their items through recycling, repair, and donation.