Recycle at Boots: How Turn Empties into Free Advantage Card Points

How to Turn Product Empties into Free Advantage Card Points at Boots

Want to know how to turn your empty packaging into Boots Advantage Card Points? In this guide, we’ll show you how to do just that with the Recycle at Boots scheme.

This program makes it easy to recycle your beauty, health, wellness, and dental products, helping you earn free money to spend in-store while doing your bit for the environment.

Key Takeaways

• Recycle at Boots: Learn how to recycle your empty beauty, health, and wellness products at Boots stores and earn Boots Advantage Card Points for free money to spend in-store.
• Easy Steps to Follow: This guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions on how to use the Recycle at Boots app, log your items, and deposit them at participating stores.
• Earn Rewards: Discover how you can turn your recycling efforts into rewards by collecting points through the Recycle at Boots scheme, helping both the environment and your wallet.

What is Recycle at Boots?

Recycle at Boots is a simple program that lets you recycle specific products at Boots stores. Many beauty, health, wellness, and dental products are difficult to recycle at home. Boots created this scheme to make recycling these items easier and to reward you for your efforts. The scheme is operated by Boots UK Limited.

Previously, the scheme was called Scan 2 Recycle, requiring you to log your empties via a website. In 2024, Boots rebranded the program to Recycle at Boots and launched a new app, making the process much smoother and more accessible.

The app offers two recycling scheme options:

1. Health, beauty, and wellness products
2. Medicine and vitamin blister packs

For health, beauty, and wellness products, you need to recycle a minimum of 5 empties per deposit to earn a 500 Boots Advantage Card Points voucher, worth £5 when you spend £10. For blister packs, recycle a minimum of 15 empty blister packs per deposit to receive a 150 Boots Advantage Card Points voucher, worth £1.50 when you spend £10.

Getting Started with the Recycle at Boots App

To start recycling at Boots, you first need to download the Recycle at Boots app. Head to your app store, download the app, and create an account. Link your Boots Advantage Card to start collecting points with your purchases. If you don’t have an Advantage Card yet, you can join for free.

Once the app is set up, select your recycling scheme. The app offers two options: “health, beauty, and wellness products” and “blister packs.” Choose the one you want to start with. You can switch between them anytime by tapping the icon at the bottom right of the app.

Recycling Health, Beauty, and Wellness Products

Begin by collecting at least 5 empty recyclable items from your health, beauty, and wellness products. This can include empty shampoo bottles, makeup containers, skincare tubes, and items made from composite materials like eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, and floss dispensers.

Next, open the app and tap ‘Add Recyclables’ on the homepage. Take a clear photo of each product. Use the drop-down list to label your items with the brand, product, and packaging type. Repeat this process for each recyclable item.

Your submission will be reviewed and verified within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Once approved, you’ll receive a notification in the app.

Depositing Your Empties In-Store

Use the app to locate a participating store near you. The store locator feature makes this easy and quick. Once you arrive at the store, look for the Recycle at Boots box, usually located in the makeup section. If you can’t find it, ask a Boots team member for assistance.

Scan the QR code on the box using the app. Select the items you’re depositing and drop them into the box. Participating stores may remove the recycle bin due to health and safety concerns.

Collecting Your Rewards

After depositing your items, your voucher will appear in the ‘Rewards’ tab on the app. This voucher is for 500 Advantage points, which you can unlock when you spend £10 in-store. The voucher is valid for 3 days, and once activated, you have 30 minutes to use it. The points will then be loaded onto your Advantage Card for future use.

Recycling Blister Packs and Nail Polish Bottles

Blister packs are the plastic trays that medicines or vitamins come in. Recycling them at Boots follows a similar process to other products but rewards you with 150 points instead of 500.

Collect at least 15 empty blister packs. Then, log your items in the app by tapping ‘Add Recyclables’ on the homepage and taking a photo of each blister pack. Repeat for each one. Your submission will be reviewed and verified within 24 hours, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Please note that food packaging, including crisp packets, is not recycling due to health and safety reasons.

What Can You Recycle at Boots?

The Recycle at Boots scheme focuses on items that are hard to recycle at home.

Here are some examples:

Health and Beauty Items:

• After sun bottles and pumps
• Deodorant cases (non-aerosol)
• Empty mascara containers
• Hair gel bottles, pumps, and tubes
• Toothpaste tubes
• Conditioner bottles
• Shower gel plastic bottles

Baby Products:

• Baby food pouches
• Baby formula lids and scoops
• Baby wipes packets
• Nappy bags packets

These are just a few examples. The full list can be found on the Recycle at Boots app in the FAQs section.

Some items may be recycled into composite construction board material.

What Cannot Be Recycled at Boots?

While the scheme covers many items, some cannot be recycled due to health and safety reasons or because they are widely recyclable at home.

Here are items you should not bring to Boots for recycling:

• Aerosol cans
• Body spray
• Brow and eyelash tints
• Hair dyes
• Nail polish bottles
• Nail polish remover
• Perfume bottles
• Razor blades
• Safety razors
• Disposable razors
• Razor heads
• Electrical items (e.g., electric toothbrushes, straighteners, curlers, hairdryers)
• Used PPE (e.g., disposable gloves, masks, visors)
• Medical devices (electrical and non-electrical)
• Controlled drugs and unused blister packs
• Aluminium packaging
• Shower gel plastic bottles

These items can be recycled via household waste recycling channels. Make sure to check the app’s drop-down list when uploading products to see if they qualify for the scheme.

Why Participate in the Recycle at Boots Scheme?

Participating in the Recycle at Boots scheme has several benefits. By recycling items that are hard to process at home, you’re reducing waste and helping the environment. Additionally, you can collect Advantage Card points which save you money on future purchases.

The app makes it easy to log and track your recyclables, and participating stores are widespread. Rewards are credited to the customer’s Boots Advantage Card account.

Overall

The Recycle at Boots scheme is a fantastic way to dispose of items that are hard to recycle at home. By participating, you not only help the environment but also earn valuable rewards. The new app has made the process smoother, ensuring that everyone can easily contribute to a greener planet while saving money on future purchases.

Remember to check the list of accepted items and always clean your recyclables before depositing them.

FAQs

Can I Recycle Products Not Purchased from Boots?

Yes, the scheme accepts products regardless of where they were purchased. The focus is on the type of item and its recyclability.

What Happens if My Items Are Rejected?

If an item is not accepted for recycling, you’ll be notified through the app. Ensure you follow the guidelines and check the drop-down list for acceptable items. Note that outer cardboard boxes and protective plastic foil wrapping are not required for an item to be considered whole and eligible for the scheme.

How Often Can I Participate?

There’s no limit to how often you can recycle, but remember, for health, beauty, and wellness products, you need a minimum of 5 items per deposit, and for blister packs, a minimum of 15.

Do I Need to Clean the Items Before Recycling?

Yes, it’s essential to rinse out any bottles or containers before recycling to avoid contamination and ensure they can be processed effectively.

How Do I Know If My Local Store Participates?

You can use the Recycle at Boots app to locate a participating store near you or check the Boots website using the store locator feature. Only the customer to which the Boots Scan2Recycle account and Advantage Card are registered can claim the reward.