Household
Toothpaste tubes
toothpaste tubes, toothpaste, dental tubes
Can you recycle?
Rarely
Rarely — most toothpaste tubes mix materials and can't be recycled curbside. Use a specialty program where available; otherwise general waste.
How to prepare
1. Squeeze out all the remaining product. 2. Keep tubes out of your curbside recycling. 3. Collect them for an oral-care specialty program if one is available. 4. Otherwise, place them in general waste.
Common mistakes
Putting toothpaste tubes in curbside recycling, where the mixed layers can't be processed. Trying to rinse them out, which wastes water. Assuming newer 'recyclable' tubes work everywhere — check locally.
What happens after you recycle it?
Through specialty programs, tubes are shredded and their plastic is reprocessed into outdoor furniture and other durable products.
Drop-off guidance
Some oral-care brands run mail-back and store drop-off programs (such as TerraCycle) that accept toothpaste tubes. Newer single-material tubes may be accepted in some areas; check the label and local guidance.
FAQs
Can I recycle toothpaste tubes?
Rarely in curbside recycling — most mix materials. Use an oral-care specialty program where available; otherwise general waste.
Where can I recycle toothpaste tubes near me?
Use the lookup above to check for oral-care mail-back or store drop-off programs near you.
Is it free to recycle toothpaste tubes?
Specialty drop-off is usually free, though mail-back may need a printed label.
Can I get paid to recycle toothpaste tubes?
No. There's no payment for toothpaste tubes, but specialty programs recycle them for free.
