Plastic Tube Recyclability: A Rapid Surge, but Challenges Remain
Plastic squeeze tubes have long been a staple in U.S. households, offering convenience for everything from personal care products to household essentials. However, their historical incompatibility with single-stream recycling systems has presented a significant challenge to both recyclers and brands with ambitious sustainability goals. Recent innovations in the design and composition of plastic tubes have significantly enhanced their recyclability, but the road to large-scale recycling adoption is still fraught with obstacles.
The plastic tubes market size to rise from USD 1291.1 mn in 2025 to USD 1687.43 mn by 2030. Asia Pacific dominated the plastic tubes market in 2023 while North America is expected to grow at a significant rate in the market during the forecast period.
The Shift Towards Monomaterial Tubes
Historically, plastic tubes were composed of multi-layered materials, such as plastic resins combined with aluminum or other barriers, making them difficult to recycle. Today, a growing number of manufacturers are transitioning towards monomaterial designs, primarily using high-density polyethylene (HDPE). According to research firm Stina, more than 75% of all HDPE squeeze tubes on the U.S. market are now recyclable, with 90% of toothpaste tubes meeting recyclability standards.
The transition to monomaterial designs is a major achievement, as it allows these tubes to be more easily processed through the existing recycling infrastructure. HDPE, a commonly recycled plastic used in milk jugs and detergent bottles, is increasingly being recognized as a viable material for squeeze tubes. The widespread adoption of HDPE tubes reduces contamination in the recycling stream, building confidence among recyclers and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to accept these products.
The Milestone: 75% of HDPE Tubes Now Recyclable
Achieving 75% recyclability of HDPE tubes is no small feat, and it has wide-reaching implications for both the environment and the packaging industry. As Stacey Luddy, chief operating officer at Stina, stated, “The majority of any packaging format on the market needs to be designed for recycling to provide quality feedstock.” This milestone means more high-quality recycled plastic will be available for manufacturing new products, increasing the circularity of materials.
Luddy's statement underscores a critical point: for recycling systems to function effectively, there must be a robust supply of materials designed for recycling. Only then can the recycled content be used to manufacture new products, further incentivizing companies to invest in sustainable packaging solutions.
The Role of the Tube Recycling Project
The Tube Recycling Project, launched in 2015 by Stina, has been instrumental in advancing the recyclability of plastic squeeze tubes. Over the last five years, this initiative has transformed a 60-year-old packaging format into one that is now compatible with modern recycling streams. As Scott Trenor, technical director at the Association of Plastic Recyclers, highlighted, this shift represents a monumental change for the packaging industry.
“It’s a tremendous amount of work for everyone in the supply chain,” Trenor noted. The swift transformation of plastic tubes from non-recyclable to recyclable showcases the collaborative efforts of brands, manufacturers, and recyclers working together to make a tangible difference in reducing plastic waste.
Legal Challenges: Colgate-Palmolive’s Tube Recyclability Claims
Despite these advancements, the journey towards widespread tube recycling is not without controversy. In 2022, Colgate-Palmolive introduced its "breakthrough" recyclable HDPE tube, marketed under its Colgate and Tom's of Maine brands. While the company's claims of recyclability were hailed as a major step forward, they soon became the subject of a class-action lawsuit.
The plaintiffs in the case argued that Colgate’s claims were misleading, as only a small percentage of consumers in the U.S. could recycle these tubes curbside. Although Colgate asserted that the tubes could be recycled alongside other HDPE products, such as milk jugs, many MRFs do not yet accept these tubes. A judge ruled in February 2024 that the case would proceed, setting the stage for a hearing in July 2025.
While this legal challenge may delay further progress, Colgate remains committed to advancing tube recyclability. According to its 2023 sustainability report, 90% of its toothpaste tubes in North America are now recyclable, and the company aims to achieve 100% recyclability by 2025.
Challenges at MRFs and Consumer Education
One of the significant hurdles in scaling up plastic tube recycling lies with MRFs. While many facilities are equipped to process monomaterial plastic tubes, few actively promote their acceptance. The primary concern is contamination, as consumers often struggle to distinguish between recyclable monomaterial tubes and non-recyclable multi-material versions.
During the Packaging Recycling Summit in November, Joy Rifkin, sustainability manager at LRS, noted that optical sorters at the company’s Chicago MRF can differentiate between these tubes. However, to avoid confusion and the risk of non-recyclable tubes entering the system, LRS does not advertise its acceptance of the products.
This issue highlights the need for better consumer education. As Scott Trenor pointed out, while 90% of the market may now consist of recyclable tubes, the remaining 10% are still problematic. Educating both consumers and MRF operators on how to identify and properly sort these materials is critical to avoiding contamination and ensuring that recyclable tubes are properly processed.
Scaling Up Tube Recycling: What’s Next?
Now that plastic tubes are technically recyclable in most modern recycling systems, the focus has shifted towards scaling up collection, sorting, and processing. However, as Trenor noted, the U.S. recycling system is highly localized, with each municipality having its own standards and practices. This decentralized system adds complexity to efforts to achieve a unified approach to plastic tube recycling.
In order to drive higher rates of tube recycling, collaboration across the value chain is essential. Brands, recyclers, MRFs, and consumers all have a role to play in making recycling an interconnected system that operates efficiently.
Brands must continue to innovate in their packaging designs and adopt recycled content in their products, helping to close the loop. MRFs need to be equipped and motivated to accept and process recyclable tubes, and consumers must be informed about the importance of buying products with recycled content and properly sorting their waste.
While there are still challenges to overcome, the progress made in the last five years towards enhancing the recyclability of plastic squeeze tubes is nothing short of remarkable. From reaching 75% recyclability for HDPE tubes to advancing consumer education efforts, the path forward will require continued collaboration across industries and localities.
As more companies follow the lead of innovators like Colgate-Palmolive and work to align with sustainable packaging goals, the future of plastic tube recycling looks promising. Although the road may be long, the industry is on the right track towards creating a more sustainable, circular economy for plastic packaging.