Boots has launched a UK-wide recycling scheme for empty blister packs, allowing customers to recycle hard-to-process medication packaging.
The initiative addresses a significant environmental issue: blister packs, made from a combination of plastic and foil, are not typically accepted through household kerbside recycling collections. This scheme evolved from a successful pilot in London and the Southeast, which attracted 170,000 participants.
By participating in this program, customers contribute to environmental conservation while earning rewards. This initiative is part of Boots’ broader commitment to reducing packaging waste across the UK.
Boots Launches Nationwide Blister Pack Recycling Scheme
Boots has taken a significant step towards reducing waste by launching a nationwide blister pack recycling scheme. The move follows a successful trial in London and the south east, where 170,000 customers signed up to the initiative. In response, Boots has extended the scheme to over 800 stores across the UK, providing more people with access to convenient recycling options.
From Pilot to National Programme
The initial pilot scheme demonstrated the feasibility and demand for blister pack recycling. With the expansion, Boots is now able to offer this service to a wider audience, making a significant impact on reducing waste. The success of the trial has paved the way for the nationwide pack recycling scheme.
Addressing a Hard-to-Recycle Waste Problem
Blister packs are challenging to recycle due to their mixed material composition of plastic and foil. Conventional kerbside recycling systems cannot process these items, resulting in them typically ending up in landfill or being incinerated. By accepting blister packs from any brand, Boots’ scheme provides a universal recycling solution for a previously overlooked waste stream.
How the Boots Blister Pack Recycling Process Works
Boots is leading the way in recycling hard-to-dispose-of medication packaging through its blister pack recycling programme. This initiative is a significant step towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the UK.
Registration and Collection
To participate, customers need to register through the Recycle at Boots app, where they log their empty blister packs before dropping them off at one of the 800 participating stores across the UK. The collected packaging is then sent to Boots’ recycling partner, MYGroup, for processing.
The process is straightforward: customers log their empty blister packs in the app, and then bring them to a participating Boots store. The empty blister packs are gathered and sent to MYGroup for separation and recycling.
Recycling and Reuse
At MYGroup, the materials from the blister packs are separated, with the foil being reused immediately and the plastic being processed into MYBoard™, a durable material suitable for various applications, including playground equipment, furniture, and construction materials.
The innovative recycling process not only reduces waste but also creates valuable resources. The recycled materials have practical applications, demonstrating a true circular economy approach.
Rewards for Participating in the Recycling Initiative
By recycling blister packs, Boots customers can earn rewards while contributing to sustainability. The Boots Advantage Card holders can earn 100 points, worth £1, when they recycle five blister packs in one visit and spend at least £5 in-store.
Advantage Card Points System
The rewards programme extends beyond just blister packs to include other health and beauty packaging. For every five qualifying items recycled with a minimum spend of £10, customers can earn 500 points. This incentivizes customers to recycle more, reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability.
Environmental Benefits
The scheme not only rewards customers but also has a significant environmental impact. By diverting blister packs from landfill and incineration, the programme reduces waste and pollution. The recycled materials are transformed into playground equipment and furniture, creating a visible and tangible benefit from the recycling process.
Candice Smith, Head of ESG at Boots, highlights the importance of providing recycling solutions for everyday items like medicine and vitamin packaging. “We know from our pilot scheme that people want a recycling solution for their empty blister packs,” she said.
Conclusion
As part of its broader Recycle at Boots initiative, the company has launched a nationwide scheme to recycle blister packs, addressing a challenging waste stream that household kerbside collections cannot process.
This innovative recycling scheme transforms difficult-to-recycle plastic foil packaging into useful products like playground equipment and furniture, demonstrating a practical application of circular economy principles.
The scheme offers dual benefits: environmental protection and rewards for customers through the Boots Advantage Card system, making it an attractive initiative for environmentally conscious consumers.
With other retailers like Superdrug and Aldi implementing similar schemes, Boots’ initiative is part of a broader trend in retail towards sustainability, particularly relevant during cold and flu season.