Toothpaste is notorious for being packaged in tubes that are intended to be thrown away, so Procter & Gamble has announced that it will start using new recyclable HDPE tubes in a bid to shift from disposable alternatives. The announcement comes on the heels of an agreement with Albéa to start using its proprietary Greenleak Generation 2 tube technology that can be recycled across a number of different programs. The new packaging will be used across the brands Oral-B, Crest and Blend-a-med brands in January 2021 and will continue through 2025 towards a full conversion in both the US and European markets.
P&G Chief Sustainability Officer Virginie Helias spoke on the shift towards the recyclable HDPE tubes saying, "We have committed to enable and inspire responsible consumption through innovation on our product and packaging. Our leading oral care brands touch millions of people around the world. This new packaging innovation will contribute to making the toothpaste tubes recyclable at scale in existing recycling streams, hence reducing our footprint and striving for circular solutions. It’s no longer about if or what we can do, but how quickly we can do it."
Recyclable Toothpaste Packaging
Procter & Gamble will Use HDPE Tubes for its Oral Care Ranges
Trend Themes
1. Recyclable Packaging - The shift towards recyclable HDPE tubes for toothpaste packaging presents an opportunity for companies to adopt sustainable packaging solutions.
2. Circular Economy - The move towards recyclable toothpaste packaging aligns with the principles of the circular economy, providing an opportunity for businesses to explore circular solutions in their product and packaging design.
3. Innovation in Oral Care - The adoption of new recyclable packaging technology in oral care brands opens up opportunities for innovation in the oral care industry, allowing companies to differentiate themselves with eco-friendly solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Packaging Industry - The development of recyclable toothpaste tubes in the oral care sector creates opportunities for companies in the packaging industry to explore and expand sustainable packaging solutions.
2. Oral Care Industry - The adoption of recyclable HDPE tubes in oral care brands creates disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the oral care industry to lead the way in sustainable packaging practices.
3. Recycling Industry - The utilization of recyclable toothpaste packaging presents an opportunity for the recycling industry to develop and optimize recycling processes for HDPE tubes, contributing to the growth of the circular economy.