Technically yes, you can recycle a toothpaste tube. But, is recycling really the best way to deal with plastic waste? In my opinion… no.
That’s why Solid exists, after all.
It’s also worth noting that only a tiny percentage of toothpaste tubes actually get recycled. Globally, an estimated 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes still end up in landfill every year and Australia is no exception.
This month, I wanted to take a closer look at what really happens when you try to recycle your typical toothpaste tube in Australia.
What’s inside a toothpaste tube?
Not the toothpaste part- we’re talking about inside the actual packaging. A toothpaste tube is made up of layers of plastic laminate and aluminium, topped off with a #5 plastic lid. In the recycling industry it’s what’s known as a “Frankenstein’s monster” – mixed material packaging that first needs to be separated before anything can be processed.
What happens if you put toothpaste tubes in your recycling bin?
Great question! In Australia, the short answer is: it goes to landfill. Toothpaste tubes are not accepted in yellow-lid recycling bins in most parts of Australia. Even Colgate’s newer HDPE (#2 plastic) tubes, which are technically recyclable, will most likely get sorted out and diverted to landfill. This is because the recycling facilities simply aren’t set up to handle out of the ordinary items.
Hear it direct from the councils:
🟡 City of Greater Geelong (VIC):
“Even if the tube says recyclable, please don’t put it in the yellow bin.”
🔴 Shoalhaven City Council (NSW):
“Toothpaste tubes cannot be recycled via your yellow lid bin.”
🟠 City of Monash (VIC):
“Put toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes in your landfill bin.”
🔵 Brisbane City Council (QLD):
“Toothpaste tubes — not recyclable through household bins.”
🟢 ACT Government:
“Toothpaste tubes and brushes are not accepted in kerbside recycling. Use a TerraCycle program instead.”
What about Terracycle then?
One company will accept certain oral care waste for recycling —the US-owned TerraCycle.
In their own words, TerraCycle have “proven it is possible to recycle, upcycle, or reuse nearly everything on Earth.” And they do mean anything – there’s even a TerraCycle cigarette butt program sponsored by British American Tobacco.
Here in Australia, TerraCycle runs an Oral Care Recycling Program funded by Colgate. They accept used toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, floss containers and packaging at participating drop-off points (often dental clinics, pharmacies or eco-stores).
Once collected, these items are shredded, cleaned, and processed into low-grade plastic that can be used to make things like park benches, playground equipment, or planter boxes. It’s not perfect – it’s downcycling rather than truly circular recycling.
The pros of recycling toothpaste tubes
Companies are taking on some responsibility for their packaging waste. Partnering with TerraCycle is better than ignoring it altogether
Schools, community groups and non-profits benefit by earning rewards through the Oral Care Recycling scheme.
It helps more people think about waste and where it goes, even if the system isn’t perfect.
The cons of recycling toothpaste tubes
Concerns of greenwashing. In 2023, Colgate-Palmolive faced a class action lawsuit in California for allegedly greenwashing their toothpaste tubes as “recyclable,” despite most recycling facilities not accepting them.
It’s not a closed loop - once recycled, the plastic won’t become new toothpaste tubes.
It involves shipping waste to specialist facilities, often overseas), adding extra carbon emissions.
It doesn’t solve the root problem: that toothpaste packaging is mostly unnecessary plastic.
It risks reinforcing the idea that we can just “recycle it” and keep using single-use plastics.
My final thoughts
I’m not anti-recycling. Some materials, like aluminium, work really well in a proper recycling system. But in general, I think the bigger challenge is designing better systems and packaging in the first place – ones that are reusable or refillable rather than just recyclable. I’ll be the first to admit: Solid isn’t perfect by any means. For example, we’re still only in the early stages of figuring out how our jar return programme will work in Australia. But, like other companies trying to do better, we’re always working on ways to get our toothpaste to our customers in the most sustainable way possible.
Can you recycle a toothpaste tube?
Technically yes, you can recycle a toothpaste tube. But, is recycling really the best way to deal with plastic waste? In my opinion… no.
That’s why Solid exists, after all.
It’s also worth noting that only a tiny percentage of toothpaste tubes actually get recycled. Globally, an estimated 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes still end up in landfill every year and Australia is no exception.
This month, I wanted to take a closer look at what really happens when you try to recycle your typical toothpaste tube in Australia.
What’s inside a toothpaste tube?
Not the toothpaste part- we’re talking about inside the actual packaging. A toothpaste tube is made up of layers of plastic laminate and aluminium, topped off with a #5 plastic lid. In the recycling industry it’s what’s known as a “Frankenstein’s monster” – mixed material packaging that first needs to be separated before anything can be processed.
What happens if you put toothpaste tubes in your recycling bin?
Great question! In Australia, the short answer is: it goes to landfill. Toothpaste tubes are not accepted in yellow-lid recycling bins in most parts of Australia. Even Colgate’s newer HDPE (#2 plastic) tubes, which are technically recyclable, will most likely get sorted out and diverted to landfill. This is because the recycling facilities simply aren’t set up to handle out of the ordinary items.
Hear it direct from the councils:
🟡 City of Greater Geelong (VIC):
“Even if the tube says recyclable, please don’t put it in the yellow bin.”
🔴 Shoalhaven City Council (NSW):
“Toothpaste tubes cannot be recycled via your yellow lid bin.”
🟠 City of Monash (VIC):
“Put toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes in your landfill bin.”
🔵 Brisbane City Council (QLD):
“Toothpaste tubes — not recyclable through household bins.”
🟢 ACT Government:
“Toothpaste tubes and brushes are not accepted in kerbside recycling. Use a TerraCycle program instead.”
What about Terracycle then?
One company will accept certain oral care waste for recycling —the US-owned TerraCycle.
In their own words, TerraCycle have “proven it is possible to recycle, upcycle, or reuse nearly everything on Earth.” And they do mean anything – there’s even a TerraCycle cigarette butt program sponsored by British American Tobacco.
Here in Australia, TerraCycle runs an Oral Care Recycling Program funded by Colgate. They accept used toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, floss containers and packaging at participating drop-off points (often dental clinics, pharmacies or eco-stores).
Once collected, these items are shredded, cleaned, and processed into low-grade plastic that can be used to make things like park benches, playground equipment, or planter boxes. It’s not perfect – it’s downcycling rather than truly circular recycling.
The pros of recycling toothpaste tubes
The cons of recycling toothpaste tubes
My final thoughts
I’m not anti-recycling. Some materials, like aluminium, work really well in a proper recycling system. But in general, I think the bigger challenge is designing better systems and packaging in the first place – ones that are reusable or refillable rather than just recyclable. I’ll be the first to admit: Solid isn’t perfect by any means. For example, we’re still only in the early stages of figuring out how our jar return programme will work in Australia. But, like other companies trying to do better, we’re always working on ways to get our toothpaste to our customers in the most sustainable way possible.
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