04.06.23
Oral and personal care company Colgate-Palmolive plans to introduce a “modified cheaper” version of its recyclable toothpaste tube later this year.
The company’s chief sustainability officer, Ann Tracy confirmed in an interview with Reuters that the replacement tube uses less plastic and is easier to ship.
Recently, it made a breakthrough—a cheaper version, which uses 16% less plastic and is 16% lighter. Company tests also showed it being easier to dispense from and having superior "feel in hands."
Tracy acknowledged that studies have shown consumers may not be willing to pay more for sustainable products like toothpaste, but Colgate has nevertheless raised prices on its toothpastes, dish soaps, and pet foods to offset rising commodity and labor costs.
One of the challenges Colgate faces is ensuring consumers properly recycle the toothpaste tube and that facilities process it correctly. Tracy said that the company's goal is to share technology to help facilities process the tube as quickly as possible. Modern recycling plants with automation can process the tube more efficiently, she added.
Despite the challenges, Tracy believes that the company's commitment to sustainability is necessary to achieve its goals. "We understand the challenge, but if we didn't develop the tube, we would never get there," she said.
Colgate's efforts to increase the use of recyclable tubes and improve recycling processes are part of a broader push by the company to become more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact.
The company’s chief sustainability officer, Ann Tracy confirmed in an interview with Reuters that the replacement tube uses less plastic and is easier to ship.
Designing a New Tube
Colgate-Palmolive has been converting the roughly 9 billion toothpaste tubes it sells annually to a commonly recyclable plastic which helps reduce waste but is more expensive to manufacture.Recently, it made a breakthrough—a cheaper version, which uses 16% less plastic and is 16% lighter. Company tests also showed it being easier to dispense from and having superior "feel in hands."
Achieving Sustainability Goals
According to Tracy, about 77% of Colgate's toothpaste units in North America are now sold in a recycled tube, and the company aims to increase this figure to 95% by the end of 2023.Tracy acknowledged that studies have shown consumers may not be willing to pay more for sustainable products like toothpaste, but Colgate has nevertheless raised prices on its toothpastes, dish soaps, and pet foods to offset rising commodity and labor costs.
One of the challenges Colgate faces is ensuring consumers properly recycle the toothpaste tube and that facilities process it correctly. Tracy said that the company's goal is to share technology to help facilities process the tube as quickly as possible. Modern recycling plants with automation can process the tube more efficiently, she added.
Despite the challenges, Tracy believes that the company's commitment to sustainability is necessary to achieve its goals. "We understand the challenge, but if we didn't develop the tube, we would never get there," she said.
Colgate's efforts to increase the use of recyclable tubes and improve recycling processes are part of a broader push by the company to become more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact.
