GSK partners with Albéa and EPL to launch fully recyclable toothpaste tubes

Vincent Gallon

17 May 2021

GSK partners with Albéa and EPL to launch fully recyclable toothpaste tubes

The oral health specialist is joining the race for the recyclability of toothpaste tubes. With the support of two tube manufacturers, Albéa and EPL Global, the company commits to make over a billion toothpaste tubes recyclable by 2025.

GSK Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) has partnered with two global packaging suppliers to launch fully recyclable toothpaste tubes across its specialist and science-based oral health brands, including Sensodyne, Parodontax and Aquafresh.

In the wake of Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel and P&G, the oral care specialist aims to see over a billion toothpaste tubes per year become recyclable by 2025.

Albéa’s Greenleaf patented tubes

To reach this goal, GSK Consumer Healthcare is switching its toothpaste tubes from aluminium barrier laminates to the Albéa’s patented Greenleaf laminate technology.

The switch-over will begin with Sensodyne Pronamel tubes, which will be available in fully recyclable alternatives in Europe this July.

“We are extremely proud to rollout our responsible Greenleaf tube packaging solution with an inspiring market leader such as GSK. Responsible packaging is now a must-have – and it requires close collaboration between a committed brand and a daring supplier,” said Karl Graves, Business Director at Albéa Tubes.

EPL Global’s Platina tubes

In a second step, GSKCH will bolster this transition with a second partnership with EPL Global to produce tubes in Platina laminate.

“We know that sustainability will dictate innovation and be the focus of our operations, today and into the future. We are committed to leading the pack in sustainable packaging - and already are ahead on this journey with Platina,” said Parag Chaturvedi, VP of Operations, EPL Americas.

Both Albéa’s Greenleaf and EPL Global’s tube have passed recycling-readiness tests set by the US-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and by Europe’s RecyClass, meaning that the tubes will be recyclable and compatible with existing recycling processes. Furthermore, EPL’s Platina tube-and-cap combination has been recognized as completely recyclable by the APR.

This latest GSKCH initiative support GSK’s company wide commitment to achieve a net zero impact on climate and a positive impact on nature by 2030.

“We have made the commitment that 100% of our product packaging will be recyclable or reusable, where quality and safety permits, by 2025.This is just one part of our ongoing sustainability journey, in which we are working to address the environmental and societal barriers to everyday health,” concluded Sarah McDonald, VP Sustainability, GSK Consumer Healthcare.