Alexei Volkov
Toothpaste tubes have traditionally been made from a combination of materials, including different plastics and aluminium, which has prevented them from being recycled. This has resulted in billions of toothpaste tubes being thrown away each year, contributing to environmental waste. However, some companies have recently introduced recyclable toothpaste tubes made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same plastic used for milk and detergent bottles. This innovation allows the tubes to be flexible while using only one type of plastic, making them recyclable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic used | Polyethylene (PE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) |
| Layer | Monolayer, Multilayer, Laminated |
| Type | Soft Plastic, Recyclable, Biodegradable, Paper-Based |
| Other materials used | Aluminium |
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What You'll Learn
- Toothpaste tubes are often made from multiple plastics, like PBL and ABL, or HDPE
- These multi-layer plastic tubes are popular because they isolate the contents from oxygen
- Plastic tubes are not recyclable due to the mix of materials
- Colgate has launched a recyclable toothpaste tube made from HDPE
- Other companies are following Colgate's lead, with 90% of US-based toothpastes committing to recyclable tubes by 2025
Toothpaste tubes are often made from multiple plastics, like PBL and ABL, or HDPE
Toothpaste tubes are typically made from multiple plastics and sometimes even aluminium. This combination of materials makes toothpaste tubes notoriously hard to recycle. In fact, it is estimated that 20 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away each year, with each tube taking 500 years to fully biodegrade in a landfill.
The most common plastics used in toothpaste tubes are PBL (Plastic Barrier Laminate) and ABL (Aluminium Barrier Laminate). PBL tubes are notable for their ability to return to their original shape after being pressed, unlike ABL tubes, which change shape after being pressed. Both types of tubes are coated in polyethylene, a simple plastic polymer that is widely used due to its low price and ease of manufacture.
To address the environmental concerns surrounding toothpaste tubes, some companies, such as Colgate-Palmolive, have started to produce recyclable toothpaste tubes made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is the same plastic used for milk jugs and other plastic bottles, and it is already widely recycled. By using different grades of HDPE, Colgate has been able to create a squeezable, flexible tube that meets recycling standards.
Colgate has also taken steps to promote the adoption of recyclable tubes across the industry, sharing its technology with competitors and working with recycling stakeholders to build awareness of recyclable tubes. As a result of these efforts, major toothpaste brands in the US have committed to switching to recyclable HDPE toothpaste tubes by 2025.
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These multi-layer plastic tubes are popular because they isolate the contents from oxygen
Toothpaste tubes are typically made of multiple laminated plastics and, in some cases, aluminium. The earliest toothpaste tubes were made of tin, zinc, or lead, sometimes coated with wax on the inside. These days, most toothpaste tubes are made from a combination of different plastics and aluminium, which makes them non-recyclable.
Multi-layer plastic tubes have become increasingly popular as they isolate the contents from oxygen, thereby prolonging their life. This type of tube is also used for food products and cosmetics such as hand creams. The plastic coating is usually bright white, made from a polyethylene polymer that holds the protective barrier and outer polyethylene layer together. Polyethylene is one of the most common plastics due to its low price and simple manufacturing process. It is also used to make plastic bottles and other packaging materials.
Toothpaste tubes made from multiple plastics and aluminium are not recyclable because each type of plastic has a different recycling process. When different types of plastic are joined in the same laminate, it becomes nearly impossible to separate them for recycling. This has led to over 20 billion toothpaste tubes being thrown away each year, ending up in landfills and waterways.
However, there have been recent innovations in recyclable toothpaste tubes. For example, Colgate has developed a tube made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same plastic used for milk and detergent bottles. HDPE is already widely recycled and, by using different grades of the material, Colgate has created a squeezable tube that meets recyclability standards. The company has also open-sourced its technology to encourage other toothpaste brands to adopt recyclable packaging.
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Plastic tubes are not recyclable due to the mix of materials
Plastic tubes, such as those used for toothpaste, lotion, and glue, are often made from multiple types of plastics and sometimes include a metal layer, making them difficult to recycle. Each type of plastic has a distinct recycling process, and when various plastics are combined in the same laminate, separating them for recycling becomes nearly impossible.
Toothpaste tubes, for instance, are frequently composed of several laminated plastics and, in some cases, aluminium. This combination of materials hinders the recycling process. While pump-action toothpaste tubes are easier to recycle, traditional plastic toothpaste tubes are often made from multiple strata of different materials, such as resin exteriors with aluminium barrier layers. The use of multiple materials in plastic tubes is not limited to toothpaste tubes. Plastic tubes for hand cream and lotions may also contain different types of plastics, including polyethylene, specifically HDPE, which is the most common type of plastic used in plastic tubes today.
The inability to recycle plastic tubes can be attributed to the mix of materials used in their construction. While manufacturers are moving towards monomaterial designs, many tubes on the market are still multimaterial. This creates challenges for recyclers as consumers may not be able to distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable tubes, leading to contamination in the recycling process.
Despite these challenges, some companies, like Colgate, are making efforts to improve the recyclability of their tubes. Additionally, domestic Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are equipped to sort monomaterial plastic squeeze tubes, but they may not advertise this service, leading to confusion among consumers about what can be recycled. As a result, even if tubes are technically recyclable, they may not be properly collected, sorted, or processed at a large enough scale to be attractive to recyclers.
The recyclability of plastic tubes is improving, but it will take time for these changes to take effect. Educating consumers about the recyclability of different tubes and encouraging the purchase of products with recycled content can help boost the demand for recycled materials and facilitate the shift towards more sustainable practices in the industry.
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Colgate has launched a recyclable toothpaste tube made from HDPE
Toothpaste tubes are typically made from multiple laminated plastics, and sometimes even aluminium. This makes them notoriously difficult to recycle, with around 20 billion toothpaste tubes thrown away globally each year.
However, Colgate has recently launched a recyclable toothpaste tube made from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). This is the same No. 2 plastic used for milk and detergent bottles. By using different layers of HDPE laminate at varying thicknesses, the tube is squeezable and meets recyclability standards.
Colgate has been praised for its commitment to sustainability and reducing waste. The company has embarked on an educational campaign to promote its recyclable tube and build awareness among consumers and recycling stakeholders. The tube has bold, limited-edition "Recycle Me!" graphics, reminding consumers to recycle the tube after use.
Despite this, Colgate has faced some backlash and a lawsuit over its recyclable claims. Consumers argue that the recyclability statements on certain toothpaste packaging are "false, deceptive, misleading and/or unlawful". The lawsuit cites the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides, which state that at least 60% of consumers in an area where a product is sold must be able to recycle it for it to be considered recyclable. While HDPE is widely recyclable, the acceptance of toothpaste tubes at specific facilities is limited, and consumers are advised to check with their local community guidelines.
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Other companies are following Colgate's lead, with 90% of US-based toothpastes committing to recyclable tubes by 2025
Toothpaste tubes are typically made from sheets of plastic laminate—a combination of different plastics—often sandwiched around a thin layer of aluminium. This mix of materials makes it impossible to recycle through conventional methods, with the tubes taking 500 years to fully biodegrade in a landfill.
Colgate has developed the first recyclable toothpaste tube, recognised by the Association of Plastic Recyclers. The tube is made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same plastic used for milk and detergent bottles. HDPE is one of the most recycled plastics, with a recycling rate of about 30% in the US.
Colgate has shared its recyclable tube technology with other companies, including competitors, to promote the transition to recyclable tubes. As a result, 90% of US-based toothpaste companies have committed to using recyclable tubes by 2025. This includes all major toothpaste brands, which have publicly committed to transitioning their tube portfolios by 2025.
Colgate plans to fully convert to recyclable tubes by 2025, ensuring that all its products will be in 100% recyclable packaging. This will help keep billions of tubes out of landfills, with the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of oral care.
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Frequently asked questions
Toothpaste tubes are made of multi-layer plastic tubes or laminated plastic and, in some cases, aluminum.
The type of plastic used in toothpaste tubes is called High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). It is the same No. 2 plastic used for milk and detergent bottles.
Traditionally, toothpaste tubes were not recyclable due to the mix of materials used in their composition. However, companies like Colgate have recently introduced recyclable toothpaste tubes made from HDPE.
Plastic tubes are popular as they isolate the contents from the air, allowing them to be used for a wider range of products, such as food. They are also cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
