Colgate-Palmolive will launch fully recyclable HDPE toothpaste tubes around the world by 2025.
In late 2019, Colgate began the process of rolling out these tubes in US and Europe with a prototype. The company is now beginning to launch HDPE tubes and this is set to be completed across its portfolio by 2023 in United States and 2025 globally.
Currently, Colgate’s traditional tubes contain a thin layer of aluminium that makes them difficult to recycle.
But the new tubes contain multiple layers of different grades of HDPE that reduces rigidity and makes them squeezable.
However, the cap will continue to be made from PP.
Colgate will also now contain the words “Recycle Me” prominently on the packaging.
The company is also looking at alternative solutions such as refillable and compostable tubes.
Colgate-Palmolive worldwide director of global packaging and sustainability Greg Corra said: ““Our strategy is pretty broad.
“We’ve got 9 billion tubes around the world to worry about right now, so we had to do something now, but we are looking into next-generation materials. We’ve got several irons in the fire.”
