The toothpaste tube has become recyclable in time for Recycle Week 2025, says WRAP.
Each year more than 252 million tubes of fluoride fresh toothpaste are sold in the UK. Until now, toothpaste tubes have traditionally contained a sheet of aluminium sandwiched between the plastic rendering them difficult to recycle.
In a landmark move driven by toothpaste brands including Colgate and Haleon, the makers of Sensodyne, Corsodyl and Aquafresh – in partnership with climate action NGO WRAP and industry, the item is now recyclable.
Now, toothpaste tubes are made from the same material as milk bottles using high-density polyethylene. This means all tubes, sold nationwide, are now technically 100% recyclable and can be recycled into a range of new items, from garden furniture and plastic piping to bleach bottles.
The new tubes are collected by a growing number of local authorities via their kerbside collections, or at any Boots store across the UK.
Catherine David, WRAP CEO, said:
“This is another game-changing moment for recycling. In partnership with Colgate and Haleon, we’ve taken one of the most infuriating packaging formats and given it a sustainable makeover. We're on a mission to ensure all items that can be recycled are recycled, and I’m delighted that now no toothpaste tube need become a landfilling. And many other items that we bin can in fact be recycled so if unsure, check the Recycle Now locator and keep the packaging out of the bin.”
Three million households are now able to put tubes in their kerbside collections alongside plastic pots, tubs and trays, which are made of the same material. WRAP, which works with councils to improve and increase collections, is leading a drive to encourage more to check with their recycling facilities and add toothpaste tubes to their collections.
Adrian Sen, Sustainability Innovation Senior Manager, Colgate-Palmolive, said:
“At Colgate-Palmolive, we're reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets and our planet. We are committed to making all our packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable and have been a pioneer in introducing recyclable toothpaste tubes to the market. It's important to us to make this technology available to all. The leadership and collaborative spirit of WRAP have been vital in helping to make this a reality and create awareness with consumers. Their work in bringing together industry, local authorities, and consumers is crucial for building a more circular economy. We are grateful for their guidance and partnership as we continue our journey to eliminate plastic waste and reimagine a healthier future for all people and our planet.”
Joe Muscat, Environmental Sustainability & Innovation Director, Haleon, said:
“WRAP’s collaborative approach and deep expertise have been instrumental in helping Haleon ‘rescue’ materials that were once considered unrecyclable. Thanks to WRAP’s leadership, we’ve turned toothpaste tubes from unrecyclable waste into packaging that can now be part of a truly circular economy. With more local authorities starting to collect them, we’re urging others to follow suit and help rescue millions more tubes from the rubbish bin.”
Boots continues to support Recycle Week, with stores across the UK accepting toothpaste tubes and other hard-to-recycle items through their Recycle at Boots scheme, where Advantage Card points can be earned for participating.
Candice Smith, Head of ESG at Boots, said:
“We love helping our customers to be more sustainable with their habits at home, so are pleased that recycling toothpaste tubes is going to become easier for everyone in the future. In the meantime, you can still recycle all of your hard to recycle health and beauty empties, including old toothbrushes, empty serum tubes, plastic packaging from wipes, and cosmetic packaging at Boots – and get rewarded in the process.”
WRAP recommends checking if your local authority collects tubes via the Recycle Now Locator.
