It’s becoming easier to recycle those hard-to-recycle items. Companies are offering to take them back- sometimes even offering a free product or discount as a reward for your efforts! This easy brand guide informs you of companies doing just this nationally and in Devon with links to extra information about the schemes on their websites.
Most of these recycling methods are easy; collect+ outlets, collections from your home or free printable postage labels available online. So why not try to reduce the amount going in the bin at work, home or school- while managing to claim some offers for returning your empties!
Bic
BiC Community Champions in collaboration with TerraCycle have organised over 740 collection points to recycle old highlighters, pens, board markers and felt tips of any brand. Schools can even apply for their own collection, why not encourage the local community to also use it?
Boots
Boots has partnered with ACUVUE and TerraCycle for a contact lenses recycling scheme: Drop contact lenses at a Boots store or Teracycle collection point.
Canon
Canon takes back its toner and inkjet cartridges. Fill out a form online and they’ll send you a shipping label.
Dell
Dell’s mailback programme will take back any Dell product for free recycling, even if you aren’t buying a new one. Free Fedex shipping labels are available to be dropped off at any Fedex location, or have it collected! Dell will also take back a non-Dell computer if you are buying a new Dell system. Just select “free recycling” when you are customising your new system, this can be shipped back for free using their pre-printed Fedex shipping label.
Kiehl’s
For each empty, full-size container you bring in for recycling to a Kiehl’s store, you’ll receive one stamp. Once you’ve racked up 10 stamps, you’ll receive a free travel-size Kiehl’s product.
Lush
Bring back five empty Lush pots or tubes to any Lush store for recycling and receive a free face mask.
MAC
Back to MAC project will take back MAC’s packaging in-store or through the mail — and you’ll even get a free lipstick if you return at least six packages.
Nescafe
Add pink recycling bags to your next order to send back to Nespresso or post them at a collect+ store. A printable or downloadable label can be accessed online.
Nespresso
A takeback scheme to recycle coffee pods, drop off your used pods in Nespresso stores or order a free recycling bag online and drop to over 7000 collect+ outlets or have them collected from your doorstep. Nespresso currently recycle 25% of all capsules sold.
Simply Cups
Cup recycling scheme and sent to Ashortwalk, Cornwall for processing, recycled and turned into something new.
The Body Shop
The Body Shop has teamed with TerraCycle to have a recycle return scheme for empty product packaging. Any brand packaging will be taken.
The Recycled Candle Company
The only wax recycling business in the UK. The Recycled Candle Company melts your disused candles in Gandy Street, Exeter which can be posted or dropped off. Depending on the weight of your dropped-off candles you can get money off future purchases.
Walkers
Walkers have teamed up with TerraCycle and set up the UK’s first crisp packet collection service. There are drop off points all around the UK and 80% of UK households are within just four miles of one. The drop off points accept crisp packets of any brand.
We hope this has been helpful finding ways to recycle tricky items! If there’s any we have missed out and you think will help others around Devon please add it to the comments below or contact us!
By Annie White
