For Recycle Week 2025, the toothpaste tube has become recyclable and should head for the recycling and not the bin from now on, meaning fewer landfillings for the UK.
Each year more than 252 million tubes of fluoride fresh toothpaste are sold in the UK. Twice a day, millions of people brush their teeth – yet until now, those toothpaste tubes have been a recycling nightmare, with tubes traditionally containing a sheet of aluminium sandwiched between the plastic rendering them a recycling nightmare. 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 UK’s second most wish-cycled item is finally 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. WRAP recommends checking if your local authority collects tubes via the Recycle Now Locator.
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.”
More and more local authorities are now accepting toothpaste tubes, with 3 million households now able to accept 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 added: “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.”
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