WRAP’s continued partnership with leading oral healthcare brands has been instrumental in the development of recyclable toothpaste tubes, a significant step forward towards a circular plastics economy. To ensure its success, we need collaborative action from the supply chain including local authorities.
This is a groundbreaking moment, as historically, multi-laminate toothpaste tubes were difficult to recycle and contributed to contamination in recycling streams. This is also backed up by WRAP’s latest Recycling Tracker 2024 report, that revealed 30% of UK households incorrectly disposed of toothpaste tubes, making them the second-largest contaminant in household recycling bins.
Why this transition matters
Leading oral healthcare brands, including Haleon, Colgate-Palmolive, and P&G (all combined are responsible for 91.3% of UK toothpaste value sales in the UK), have transitioned from multi-laminate to recyclable mono-material toothpaste tubes across their portfolios. These tubes, made from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), meet the criteria for kerbside recycling, as outlined by the Simpler Recycling reforms coming into effect from 2026.
Progress so far includes:
- Industry trials have demonstrated that it is possible for these tubes to be effectively sorted at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Plastics Recovery Facilities (PRFs).
- Using ballistic scanners and near-infrared (NIR) sorting, the mono-material tubes were successfully identified and sorted ready for reprocessing.
- Recovery rates during the trials reached up to 60%, and the tubes were seamlessly integrated into existing recycling processes, such as being shredded into flakes and then processed into pipes without any issues encountered.
- This due diligence ensures that the infrastructure is in place to manage these materials effectively.
The toothpaste tubes have also been approved by the OPRL Technical Advisory Committee, allowing them to carry the “Recycle” label with clear instructions to empty the tube and keep the cap on.
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How can local authorities support?
We’ve already communicated with local authorities about the oral care transition to mono-material, recyclable toothpaste tubes over the last couple of months at the LARAC Conference and by our regular local authority e-newsletters. We appreciate those that also completed our local authority toothpaste recycling survey to help us support you better and understand progress in different authorities.
Progress so far includes:
- Some authorities are already including toothpaste tubes in their pots, tubs and tray collections.
- Others have confirmed that they will liaise with their reprocessors and start collecting toothpaste tubes as part of their kerbside recycling, ahead of the Simpler Recycling reform.
- Your support will ensure that residents will be able to contribute to this important step towards sustainable packaging and reduce their contamination.
- By aligning your collection policies, you’ll support industry-wide efforts and demonstrate leadership in recycling innovation.
Key steps to take:
- Engage with recycling facilities
Connect with your current recycling partners, whether MRFs or plastics reprocessors, to confirm their acceptance of mono-material toothpaste tubes. Many waste management companies (WMCs) have already provided written assurances to accept these tubes as target materials for recycling. - Update your citizen facing communications
If your MRF or off-taker confirm acceptance of the tubes then make sure your residents know that they can be collected alongside their plastic pots, tubs and trays. Clear and accessible communication with residents is essential to encourage correct recycling behaviours. - Update WRAP’s Local Authority Portal
Update the scheme information within WRAP’s LA Portal to show that you are now targeting toothpaste tubes for recycling. Not only does this information feed into our benchmarking tool but it also feeds through to the Recycling Locator which is used by citizens to check what and where they can recycle locally.
Together, we can ensure the successful integration of recyclable toothpaste tubes into kerbside collections, reducing waste, enhancing recycling rates, and building a more sustainable future. The groundwork has been done - now, we need your partnership to bring this to life.
Contact Us
If you have questions or need further support, please reach out to LA.support@wrap.ngo
Let us know when you have updated your kerbside collection systems, so we can track progress through the Recycling Locator. Sign up to WRAP’s local authority monthly e-newsletter here.
