US-based consumer product company Colgate-Palmolive has launched a recyclable toothpaste tube with ‘Recycle Me!’ printed on the packaging.

Currently being rolled out in the US, the tube is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is claimed to be the first tube recognised as recyclable by external recycling authorities.

The ‘Recycle Me!’ limited-edition message is intended to create awareness of recyclable tubes among consumers, operators of material recovery facilities (MRFs) and other recycling stakeholders.

The graphics will be used for certain Colgate products, including Colgate Optic White Advanced Sparkling White, Colgate Cavity Protection, Colgate Max Fresh Cool and Colgate Total Whitening.

They are available for purchase online and at several major retailers across the US, including Target and Amazon.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Colgate will expand the packaging to its entire toothpaste line by next year.

Colgate-Palmolive North America Oral Care vice-president and general manager Dana Medema said: “As the global toothpaste leader with a brand found in more homes than any other, we want to lead in waste reduction and, in particular, making toothpaste tubes a part of the circular economy.

“The Recycle Me! tube is designed to educate and engage consumers and the recycling community who are both essential to progress, and we are excited to initiate and learn from our upcoming pilot programme.”

In addition to the packaging launch, Colgate-Palmolive is partnering with peer companies and major MRF and reprocessors in the US to launch a recyclable tube pilot programme.

In October last year, Dow Packaging & Speciality Plastics launched recyclable toothpaste tubes for sale in retail stores worldwide.

The tube is made using high-performance polyethylene (PE) based technology instead of the typically used combination of plastic and aluminium, which is harder to recycle.

Last March, Colgate-Palmolive relaunched its Palmolive Ultra dish soap in fully post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles.