Can you recycle toothpaste tubes?
Squeezed-empty tubes accepted by some councils; otherwise Boots/TerraCycle schemes or general waste
Toothpaste tubes were long unrecyclable, but most major brands (Colgate, GSK) have switched to recyclable mono-material HDPE tubes and a growing number of councils now accept tubes squeezed empty with the cap on — check your council's A-Z. Where kerbside says no, use the Recycle-at-Boots scheme or a TerraCycle oral-care point. Don't cut tubes open to wash them; sorting plants prefer them capped and empty.
Tips
- Squeeze empty, cap on — don't cut open
- Boots' in-store scheme takes tubes and gives loyalty points
- Check your council — acceptance is spreading fast
Which bin does it go in?
Squeezed-empty tubes accepted by some councils; otherwise Boots/TerraCycle schemes or general waste Exact rules depend on your council — check its website or look up your postcode below.
Councils can use different containers and accepted-item lists.
Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.
Also searched as: colgate tubes, dental tubes.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?