Selfridges and MYGroup launch fragrance bottle return programme

British waste disposal and recycling company MYGroup and luxury department store chain Selfridges have jointly launched a recycling programme for beauty and cosmetic products. It is designed to enable customers to return empty beauty packaging and perfume bottles that are difficult to recycle. "Reselfridges Recycle" is now available in all beauty departments of the chain in Birmingham, Manchester and London's Oxford Street, the companies announced. As part of a membership programme, customers of the retailer receive a Selfridges Unlocked Key for every five recycled items, which entitles them to benefits such as exclusive product launches and free shipping.

Back into production via collection box

The programme is designed to simplify the recycling of fragrance bottles in particular. Until now, these have been excluded from municipal waste disposal and other take-back systems due to residues of hazardous substances and mixed packaging materials. The recycling programme now enables customers to return used perfume, aftershave and other fragrance bottles, even if they still contain fragrance. Used perfume bottles and other cosmetic items of all brands can be deposited in the collection boxes in the four participating stores. MYGroup collects and processes the items in its specialised facility. Packaging materials, cosmetic residues and fragrances are recovered and returned to supply chains or processed into new products.

Proven system in retail

Before the official launch of the system, a trial run was conducted last year, during which the number of unlocked keys collected rose by 270 per cent between September and November. MYGroup has been working with retailers for many years to promote the return of cosmetic products. The company reports that more than 40,000 tonnes of returned cosmetic packaging have already been processed as part of the programmes. "With Reselfridges Recycle, we are implementing our take-back solution in a department store environment, where even hard-to-recycle items are collected and recycled in relevant quantities," said MYGroup Group Director Steve Carrie.

Source: MYGroup