From: Packaging News

Colgate and TerraCycle are launching the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme, a free nationwide recycling solution for oral care products and packaging in the UK.

The Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme allows consumers to recycle any brand of toothbrush, toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrush outer packaging, electric and battery toothbrush heads and toothpaste cartons for free whilst raising funds for the school, charity or non-profit of the sender’s choice.

Oral care products and packaging comprise of a complex mix of materials such as rigid and flexible plastics and bristles which is why it hasn’t been recyclable traditionally through council recycling systems in the UK.

When TerraCycle receives toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, outer packaging and cartons they will be separated by composition, shredded and melted into hard plastic pellets that can be remolded to make new recycled products such as benches and construction applications, which reduces the need to create new virgin plastics.

Consumers can sign up to the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme for free at www.terracycle.co.uk.

Philip Durocher, general manager Colgate UK, said: “With the global plastics issue high on the agenda for all, the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme promotes sustainability. We really encourage people to take advantage of the programme and recycle their oral care products and packaging via the programme and tell their friends and family about this new recycling initiative.”

Laure Cucuron, general manager, TerraCycle Europe, added: “Oral care products are used by all of us each and every day, so it’s one of the most frequently asked about types of products that consumers tell us they want to be able to recycle.  So, we’re delighted to partner with Colgate to launch the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme which now enables everyone in the UK to recycle their oral care waste of any brand.”