Can you recycle toothpaste tubes?

Most toothpaste tubes are a laminate of plastic and a thin aluminum layer, fused so they can't be separated — which makes them not recyclable in curbside bins. They go in the black trash cart, unless you have a recyclable-tube brand or a take-back program.

📷 Scan an item with your phone

The newer recyclable tubes

Some brands (Colgate and others) have switched to a single-material HDPE #2 tube that IS recyclable — it says so on the box. If yours is labeled recyclable, squeeze it empty, replace the cap, and put it in the blue cart. If it's not labeled, assume it's the mixed-material kind and trash it.

The cap

The screw cap is usually a recyclable plastic, but it's small — leave it on the tube.

Take-back programs

TerraCycle has run oral-care recycling programs (often brand-sponsored) that accept any brand of tube, toothbrush, and floss container by mail — a good option if you want to divert them.

Toothpaste Tubes — quick FAQ

Are toothpaste tubes recyclable?

Most aren't — they're a fused plastic-and-aluminum laminate that curbside recycling can't process, so they go in the trash. Newer single-material HDPE #2 tubes (labeled recyclable) can go in the blue cart.

How do I know if my tube is recyclable?

Check the box — recyclable tubes say so. If there's no recycling label, treat it as trash.

Where can I recycle toothpaste tubes for free?

Through a TerraCycle oral-care program (often brand-sponsored) that takes any tube by mail — curbside won't take the mixed-material ones.

Related

Can you recycle chip bagsWhat can I recycle?

Not sure about something else? Point your camera at it and RecycleLens tells you the right bin.