UK Toothpaste Tubes Go 100% Recyclable

A groundbreaking shift has hit the UK’s oral care industry—thanks to a collaboration between WRAP, Colgate, and Haleon, 100% of toothpaste tubes sold in the country are now recyclable, putting an end to what was once dubbed a “recycling nightmare,” according to The Grocer.​

Previously, toothpaste tubes featured a sandwich structure with aluminum foil layered between plastic, making them nearly impossible to recycle. Now, they’re crafted from HDPE, the same material as plastic milk bottles, enabling them to be repurposed into garden furniture, plastic pipes, and more. With over 252 million tubes sold annually in the UK, this change creates a surge in demand for precise plastic sorting to unlock their recycling potential. While some communities and retailers like Boots have started collecting these tubes, efficient sorting remains key to turning this material shift into tangible sustainability progress.​

This is where DATABEYOND steps in, armed with industry-leading solid waste databases and deep learning capabilities that redefine sustainable waste sorting equipment standards. Our core strength lies in developing solutions that tackle even the most nuanced sorting challenges—including the HDPE toothpaste tubes now flooding UK recycling streams and related plastic wastes.​

At the heart of our offering is the AI High-Speed Sorting Robot, a cutting-edge system trained on millions of data points from our comprehensive solid waste database. Unlike traditional equipment, this robot leverages deep learning to instantly identify HDPE tubes, plastic bottles, and other recyclables amid mixed waste, ensuring accurate separation at unparalleled speeds. Paired with our automated high speed waste sorting robot, it delivers consistent performance that manual sorting or basic machines simply can’t match—critical for handling large volumes like the UK’s annual toothpaste tube output.​

For municipalities and waste management firms, our municipal solid waste sorting machine is a game-changer. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing recycling workflows, it streamlines the processing of mixed municipal waste, with a sharp focus on plastic sorting efficiency. What sets DATABEYOND apart? We don’t just build equipment—we deliver cost-effective rubbish sorting machine and cost-effective garbage sorting robot solutions that balance performance with affordability. Our technology minimizes operational costs while maximizing recycling yields, making sustainable waste management accessible for businesses of all sizes.​

As the UK embraces recyclable toothpaste tubes and pushes for greater plastic circularity, plastic sorting has never been more important. DATABEYOND’s fusion of big data, AI, and high-speed automation ensures that these newly recyclable materials don’t end up in landfills—but instead re-enter the supply chain as valuable resources. Whether it’s HDPE tubes, plastic containers, or other complex wastes, our sorting solutions turn sustainability commitments into action.