Boots recycle scheme – Scan 2 recycle and get £5 cashback

Unlock £5 worth of Boots Advantage Points and help the planet with the Boots Scan 2 Recycle Scheme.

Want to do some good for the planet while also earning £5 worth of Boots Advantage Card points for free? That’s exactly what’s on offer with the Boots’ Scan 2 Recycle scheme.

This initiative aims to encourage customers to recycle their empty beauty and personal care product containers responsibly while offering attractive rewards through the Boots Advantage Card.

In this article, we will dive into how the scheme works, the rewards it offers, and whether you should participate.

Before we get started though, it’s worth mentioning that Boots isn’t often the cheapest place to buy beauty care products. Some products can be had up to 15% cheaper elsewhere. See our article on Loyalty schemes, and why it pays to be unfaithful.

How does Boots’ Scan 2 Recycle Scheme’ work?

The Boots Scan 2 Recycle scheme is a user-friendly program that simplifies the process of recycling beauty and personal care product containers. Recycle 5 qualifying items, and you’ll get £5 worth of Advantage Card points.

The £5 voucher is in the form of a barcode on your phone that you can only be used in conjunction with your Advantage card.

To get started you need to create an account on the Scan 2 Recycle website and add your Boots Advantage card details.

You’ll then be asked to upload photos of the empty items you wish to recycle. Don’t worry if you aren’t tech savvy. The website makes it all very straightforward.

When uploading an item, you will also be prompted to select they brand and type of item it is from a drop down menu. For example, Neutrogena, body moisturiser, tub. If you have more than one empty container of the same product, you’ll need to put an identifying mark on each one just so the system doesn’t think you’re trying to game it.

The uploaded item(s) then gets added to your online ‘recycle bank’ for approval. Approval takes up to 24 hours, but most items should be assessed within a couple of hours.

Later, when you log back into your account, you’ll be able to see which items were approved or rejected.

Scan 2 recycle in store

Once they been accepted, your approved items can then be taken for drop off at your nearest qualifying Boots store. Not all stores can accept empties, but most larger ones do.

Placement of the recycling bins in stores can vary. In my nearest store it was near one of the main checkouts. In most it should by the No7 counter. It just depends as each store layout differs slightly.

At the recycle bin you need log into the Scan 2 Recycle website, tap the “Ready to recycle” button, select your items, and then scan the QR code on the recycle bin.

Then hit “deposit”, and pop your items into the bin. Within minutes you’ll receive an email confirming your deposit, and should see your rewards in the ‘rewards’ tab.

Spending your £5 Scan 2 recycle voucher

With your items dropped off, the next step is to spend your £5 voucher. Yet even this comes with strings attached:

• You must spend your voucher within 3 days of depositing your items
• It can only be used in conjunction with your advantage card
• It’s only valid on purchases of £10 or more.

What items can be recycled?

All items need to be empty or as near empty as possible. My test done mostly with old moisturiser bottles, lip balm tubes, and dental floss containers.

Most tubs, bottles (pump and spray), roll-on and stick deodorants, lipstick tubes, make up cases (eyeshadow pallets, foundation etc..).

What items can’t be recycled?

Some things can’t be recycled, these are mostly self-explanatory, and include:

Aerosol cans, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles, hair dyes, brow and eyelash tints, all kinds of razors and razor blades, medicine bottles/packets, and electronic items.

Items like cosmetic applicators (e.g., makeup sponges, cotton swabs), brushes, and certain non-packaging items may not be accepted because they don’t fall under the category of traditional packaging.

Alternative schemes?

Whilst we’ve seen some alternative recycle schemes, none of these currently offer incentives.

Superdrug has a partnership with Maybelline and TerraCycle to recycle beauty empties, but you don’t get anything for it, other than the feeling you’re helping to reduce waste. Tesco and Bodyshop have also had recycle schemes in the past, along with MAC Cosmetics.

Is the Boots Scan 2 Recycle scheme worth it?

The scheme represents a commendable effort by Boots to promote environmental sustainability and encourage responsible recycling of beauty and personal care product containers. By allowing you to recycle empty items from any brand and rewarding you through the Advantage Card, Boots has created a practical and beneficial initiative.

That being said it’s not without its issues. Firstly, it’s only available a certain stores, usually larger ones in city centres or shopping malls. Then there’s the restrictions on the items that can be recycled and the limited time to spend the £5 voucher code.

That is without even mentioning that Boots isn’t usually the cheapest place to shop for cosmetics and toiletries, so even with £5 off, you might still save by shopping elsewhere.

As much as we all like to save money, it is worth remembering that as individuals, we can play a significant role in protecting the environment, and the Boots Scan 2 Recycle scheme provides a simple yet impactful way to do so. So, next time you finish a beauty product, remember, you can scan, recycle, and earn rewards while making a positive impact on the planet.

Find out more about rewards, cashback and discounts