Recycle at Boots: How to Earn Free Boots Points for Product Empties
Looking for a way to help the environment while saving money on your shopping? The recycle at Boots scheme lets you do just that.
We’ve put together this complete guide to show you exactly how to turn your empty beauty, health and wellness product packaging into free Boots Advantage Card points.
Key Takeaways
- Recycle at Boots Process: Learn how to use the Recycle at Boots app to log your empties, which items qualify, and how to deposit them in-store to earn rewards.
- Points and Rewards System: Discover how to earn 500 Advantage Card points (worth £5) when recycling beauty products and 100 points (worth £1) for blister packs.
- Finding Participating Locations: Find out how to locate your nearest recycle at Boots locations using the store locator tool and what to expect when you arrive.
What is the Recycle at Boots Scheme?
The recycle at Boots scheme launched in September 2020 and focuses on recycling hard-to-recycle beauty, health, and wellness product packaging that can’t typically be processed through household kerbside collections. Since its launch, the scheme has recovered over 145 tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic and saved 2.9 million products from landfill and incineration.
The scheme works on a simple principle: bring in your empty product packaging that can’t be recycled at home, and earn Boots Advantage Card points as a reward. The program is now available at over 700 UK stores and continues to grow.
We’ve been using this scheme for a while now and find it’s a brilliant way to get something back for doing our bit for the planet. Who doesn’t want free points just for recycling items we’d throw away anyway?
How Does Recycle at Boots Work?
How does recycle at Boots work? It’s a straightforward process that rewards you for making environmentally friendly choices.
Here’s how it works:
First, download the recycle at Boots app (previously known as Scan 2 Recycle) and create an account. You’ll need to link your Boots Advantage Card at this stage.
Next, choose which scheme you want to use – either health, beauty and wellness products or blister packs. Take clear photos of your empty products through the app and label them by selecting the brand and product type.
After that, wait for verification which usually happens within 24 hours during weekdays. Once approved, take your items to a participating Boots store, scan the QR code on the recycling box and drop in your empties.
Finally, spend the minimum required amount in-store and receive your points straight to your Advantage Card. It’s as simple as that!
We love that the whole process is digital now with the app. Much easier than the old system where you had to use the website.
What Can I Recycle at Boots?
Many people ask us “what can I recycle at Boots?” The scheme accepts hard-to-recycle beauty, health, and wellness product packaging that cannot typically be recycled through regular household collections.
Beauty and Wellness Products
For beauty and wellness products, you need to recycle a minimum of 5 items per deposit. Examples of what items are accepted at Boots scan to recycle include travel minis and samples, mascara tubes, lipstick containers, eyeshadow palettes, toothpaste tubes, floss dispensers, body cream tubes, and nail polish bottles.
We’ve found that makeup items are particularly good to save up as they’re often too small for regular recycling. Those tiny mascara tubes and lipsticks really add up over time!
Blister Packs
In February 2025, Boots rolled out a nationwide recycle at Boots blister packs scheme after a successful pilot. You can now recycle blister packs at Boots across over 800 UK stores.
For blister pack recycling, you need a minimum of 5 empty blister packs per deposit. These can be from any brand of medication or vitamins, but must be completely empty.
Remember, the scheme is designed specifically for items that cannot be recycled at home. Items that can be recycled through your local kerbside collection should go there instead.
How to Use the Recycle at Boots App
The recycle at Boots app is central to the recycling process. We’ve found it really user-friendly and much better than the previous website version.
To use it effectively:
Download the app from your app store and create an account or sign in. Make sure to link your Boots Advantage Card if you haven’t already done so.
When you’re ready to log your empties, tap “Add Recyclables” on the homepage and take a clear photo of each empty product. The photo should clearly show the brand and product name – don’t just photograph the barcode.
Select the correct brand and product type from the dropdown menus. This step is important as if you can’t find your product type in the list, it means it’s not a qualifying item.
After logging all your items, wait for verification which typically takes 1-2 working days. We’ve found it’s best to do this a couple of days before you plan to visit Boots.
The verification process only happens during working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays), so plan accordingly.
Recycle at Boots Locations
Recycle at Boots locations now span across the UK, with over 700 stores participating in the main scheme and over 800 stores accepting blister packs.
Finding your nearest participating store is easy. Just use the store locator on the Boots website and look for stores that have the recycling scheme icon. The app also provides a list of participating locations.
When you visit the store, look for the recycling bins near the beauty counter or No7 section in larger stores. We’ve sometimes found they can be tucked away, so don’t hesitate to ask a staff member if you can’t spot them.
We’ve noticed that most major Boots stores participate, but it’s always worth checking before making a special trip.
How to Earn Advantage Card Points
Let’s talk money – or rather, points! The rewards are what make this scheme so appealing to us money-savers. Here’s how does recycle at Boots work when it comes to the rewards:
For Health, Beauty and Wellness Products:
When you recycle 5 or more qualifying items and spend £10 or more in-store, you’ll receive 500 Advantage Card points (worth £5). That’s essentially a 50% return on your £10 spend!
For Blister Packs:
Recycle 5 or more empty blister packs and spend £5 or more in-store to receive 100 Advantage Card points (worth £1).
In both cases, your reward voucher is valid for 3 days, so you need to use it fairly quickly.
To claim your points, find your reward voucher in the “Rewards” section of the app. When you’re at the checkout, activate the voucher (it will be valid for 30 minutes after activation) and present it along with your Advantage Card.
We’ve found this system really straightforward – the points appear instantly on your card at the checkout.
What Happens to Your Recycled Items?
Ever wondered what happens after you drop off your items at a Boots recycling scheme bin? We were curious too.
Your empties are sent to MYGroup, Boots’ recycling partner, where they’re sorted by material type. For blister packs, the plastic and foil are separated.
The recycled materials are then processed and transformed. Some become new products, while others are turned into a material called MYBoardTM, which is used to create playground equipment, furniture, and construction materials.
Nothing ends up in landfill or incineration, creating a truly circular recycling process. We think that’s pretty impressive!
Tips for Making the Most of the Recycle at Boots Scheme
After using this scheme for a while, we’ve picked up some handy tips to maximise both recycling efforts and rewards:
Save up your empties until you have at least 5 items before logging them. It’s more efficient that way.
Upload your items a day before you plan to visit Boots to ensure they’re verified in time. We’ve been caught out before by trying to do everything on the same day!
Combine your recycling trip with your regular Boots shopping to save time and ensure you meet the minimum spend requirement.
Remember that your reward voucher is only valid for 3 days, so plan to use it quickly.
You can recycle up to 8 times per month, potentially earning up to £40 in Advantage Card points. For regular Boots shoppers, that’s a significant saving!
What Items Can’t Be Recycled at Boots?
Not everything can be recycled through the Boots recycling scheme.
Items that cannot be accepted include aerosols, perfume bottles with pumps attached, items with dangerous materials symbols, medical devices, and electrical items.
Also, items that can be recycled at home through normal kerbside collections shouldn’t be brought to Boots. This includes full-size shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower gel plastic bottles, glass jars, and aluminium packaging.
If you’re not sure, simply check the app – it will tell you if an item is not eligible when you try to log it.
Overall
We’re big fans of the recycle at Boots initiative. It’s a perfect example of how shops can make being eco-friendly rewarding for customers.
With the expansion of the scheme to include blister packs and the growing number of participating stores, it’s easier than ever to turn your product empties into rewards. The app makes the process simple: log your items, deposit them in-store, and enjoy your Advantage Card points.
Next time you’re about to throw away an empty beauty, health, or wellness product, check if it could be recycled through the recycle at Boots scheme instead. You’ll be helping the environment while saving money on future purchases – and that’s what smart money-saving is all about!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recycle perfume bottles at Boots?
Yes, can you recycle perfume bottles at Boots if they’re empty and don’t have pumps attached. Bottles with pumps still attached cannot be accepted.
Can you recycle shampoo bottles at Boots?
While many ask “can you recycle shampoo bottles at Boots?”, it depends on the size. Full-size shampoo bottles should go in your household recycling as they’re typically made of recyclable plastics. The Boots scheme focuses on items that can’t be recycled at home.
How does recycle at Boots work with blister packs?
The recycle at Boots blister packs scheme works similarly to the main recycling program. Log at least 5 empty blister packs in the app, get them verified, deposit them in-store, and receive 100 Advantage Card points when you spend £5 or more.
Which Boots stores offer the recycling scheme?
To find out what Boots stores can you recycle at, use the store locator on the Boots website or app. Over 700 stores participate in the main recycling scheme, and over 800 stores now accept blister packs.
How many points do you get for recycling at Boots?
For beauty, health, and wellness products, you receive 500 points (worth £5) when recycling 5 or more items and spending £10 in-store. For blister packs, you receive 100 points (worth £1) when recycling 5 or more packs and spending £5 in-store.
What items are accepted at Boots scan to recycle?
The scheme accepts hard-to-recycle items like travel minis, makeup packaging, toothpaste tubes, and blister packs. You can find a full list of accepted items within the app.
How to recycle blister packs at Boots?
To recycle blister packs at Boots, collect at least 5 empty packs, log them in the app, wait for verification, then deposit them at a participating store. Spend £5 or more in-store to receive 100 Advantage Card points.
How long does verification take in the recycle at Boots app?
Verification typically takes place during working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) and is usually completed within 24 hours. Items submitted outside these hours will be processed on the next working day.
