Henkel’s Oral Care Tubes To Be Recyclable by 2021

While toothpaste tubes are being used by millions of consumers every day, not many may know that today’s classical tubes couldn’t be recycled so far – their multi-layer construction poses a challenge for recycling facilities. This is about to change! In line with its packaging targets and commitment to avoid plastic waste, Henkel will convert its entire oral care tube portfolio to fully recyclable tubes produced by its packaging supplier Albéa. The transition, to be concluded across all its oral care brands beginning of next year, will be pioneered by the Spanish toothpaste brand Licor del Polo.

To advance the sustainability features of its toothpaste tubes, Henkel uses Albéa’s proprietary Greenleaf tube technology, which enables the packaging to be fully recyclable wherever collection schemes are active. Greenleaf tubes are recognized by the Association of Plastic Recylers (USA) and Suez.Circpack (Europe) as technically recyclable within the existing, effective HDPE bottles recycling stream. What’s more, the unique tube-making technology uses a single-blown film, thus significantly reducing the product’s CO₂ footprint.

As part of Henkel’s sustainability efforts, the company has set itself ambitious packaging targets for 2025 to promote a circular economy. By then, 100 percent of Henkel's packaging will be recyclable or reusable and the company will reduce fossil-based virgin plastics by 50 percent in its consumer goods packaging. Additionally, Henkel wants to contribute to avoiding plastic waste being disposed in the environment.

On the way to achieving these goals, Henkel has already made many advances. For example, the company further increased the share of recycled plastic in its packaging and a number of Henkel’s packaging already consists of 100 percent recycled material.
Another example is the partnership with Plastic Bank, through which Henkel wants to stop ocean plastic and at the same time provide opportunities for people in need.

“We want to foster a circular economy and pursue ambitious packaging targets. This joint development is a major step for us to further improve the recyclability of our packaging portfolio and is contributing significantly to our goal to achieve 100 percent recyclability until 2025,” said Philippe Blank, Head of Packaging Sustainability at Henkel Beauty Care. “By introducing Albéa’s Greenleaf technology, we are now shifting more than 700 tons of packaging material per year into a category, that can be utilized and recovered by existing waste recycling streams.”

“In addition to the roll-out of the recyclable packaging solution, both companies are jointly working to improve even further and harmonize all single components of the tube. “We have a clear goal: Together we want to launch the world’s first full HDPE tube in 2021, which will then include the cap as well,” added Blank.

More info: www.henkel.com/plastic