L'Oreal launches make-up recycling bins across 1,000 UK stores

Company’s Maybelline brand teams up with recycling firm TerraCycle for the initiative

(Maybelline)

L’Oreal is launching recycling bins across 1,000 UK stores to help customers dispose of their old makeup in an environmentally friendly way.

The cosmetics conglomerate has teamed up with recycling firm TerraCycle for the initiative.

The company’s Maybelline brand will spearhead the project, which, from Thursday 10 September, will allow customers to drop off any brand of makeup into the recycling bins, which will be installed in participating stores such as Tesco, Superdrug, Boots and Sainsbury’s.

The used makeup items will be collected and recycled into plastic pellets that can be used to create other products, including outdoor furniture.

The majority of cosmetics will be accepted, such as eyeshadow palettes, foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick, and eyeliner. 

However, some items, including makeup brushes, nail polish and aerosol deodorant, will not be accepted.

The “Makeup Not Make Waste” scheme will make it very easy for consumers to recycle their products given the number of stores taking part.

Additionally, mixed materials will be able to be recycled, such as blushers that come in compacts with mirrors.

However, environmental group Greenpeace has expressed doubts over the project, with Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK group, telling the BBC:  "Given the almost daily torrent of research revealing the extent to which plastic pollution is damaging our planet, it's frustrating to see a major plastic producer like the make-up industry fail to commit to reduce its overall plastic footprint.

"Without action plans to move towards reusable packaging and reduce single-use plastic production, companies cannot claim they are doing enough."

L’Oreal has pledged to make all of its plastic packaging refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.