(GUF) TOOTHPASTE TUBE RECYCLING

I’m a cynic, my default position is “I don’t believe that" and I don’t think I’m alone. Most people, when it comes to recycling assume: “They don’t really recycle it, do they? It all just goes in the same hole in the ground.” 

Now, WRAP, the toothpaste brands and the usual recycling cheerleaders are all celebrating; toothpaste tubes are “now recyclable.” - the OPRL logos are on the packs, the adverts are running, the PR machine is humming.

But let’s not take them at their word; if toothpaste tubes are truly recyclable alongside HDPE milk and detergent bottles, then surely there’s a UK reprocessor already accepting them - which plants are actually sorting, stripping, washing and pelletising them into new plastic; where’s the video showing toothpaste tubes running down the line and coming out as useful feedstock because that’s the missing piece in this story.

The circular economy doesn’t end with a logo on the pack, it ends when those packs become new products and until we can name names and point to facilities, all we’re applauding is potential, not practice, and in recycling, potential doesn’t pay the bills or close the loop.

So show us the tubes; show us the process; show us the proof; then, and only then, we’ll celebrate with you because if no one can show evidence it’s happening, the risk is people stop believing and that’s a credibility gap our industry can’t afford. Talking Rubbish - link - more like this (recycling) - link