Companies Making the Change

Manufacturers Looking for Greener Alternatives

Colgate-Palmolive

It was announced 5 years ago that Colgate-Palmolive had committed to making 100% of its packaging for three of four product categories completely recyclable by 2020 including a commitment to developing a recyclable toothpaste tube. In the past, toothpaste tubes were made from an aluminium and plastic mix making them harder to recycle. 

In January 2020 Cosmetics Design Europe reported that a new recyclable toothpaste tube is now on the market under the product name 'Smile for Good'. The contents are 99.7% natural ingredients with the toothpaste tubes made from HDPE plastic (similar to plastic milk bottles). The outer packaging is made from recyclable card.

The new product was launched in America last year and is now being released in UK supermarkets at a cost of £5 each (ouch!) For other (& more importantly plastic free) alternatives, check out my reviews section which includes tooth tabs in metal tins and toothpaste and tooth powder in glass jars with metal lids.

Still I find it reassuring that a large manufacturing company is at least looking at ways to become greener as teeth cleaning really is a massive waste. I have spotted Colgate bamboo toothbrushes as well in supermarkets priced at £4. (Again check out my reviews section for a bamboo toothbrush set I reviewed recently).

Unilever

The Guardian newspaper reported that household brand Unilever, plans to halve its use of virgin plastic, by creating greener versions of its household products. Cardboard deodorant sticks, shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets may become the norm in supermarkets. They are also testing shampoo and laundry detergent refill stations in South East Asia.

HP and Dell

It's great to see other companies making the change for greener too. For example Dell are aiming to use 100% waste free packaging by 2030 using bamboo as a base for their packaging. The company also incorporate ocean waste in molded trays. 

From their website they claim 'The trays are 25% ocean-bound plastic and 75% recycled PET, using no virgin materials. It’s also fully recyclable itself.'

HP uses wheat packaging for shipping their inkjet printers. They hope by recycling left over straw it will reduce deforestation. They have also partnered with WWF to help protect and restore 200,000 acres of forest.

Check out how supermarkets are reducing plastics in our previous blog post too.