GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, a global consumer healthcare company, announced that it is partnering with Albéa and EPL Global, two international packaging players, to launch fully recyclable toothpaste tubes.
The partnership with Albéa, one of the world's leading tube manufacturers, will enable GSK Consumer Healthcare to replace its aluminum barrier laminate toothpaste tubes with the patented Greenleaf 2 laminate.
According to Albéa, this technology ensures the same level of protection for the formulas as traditional tubes and guarantees their recyclability when efficient collection and sorting systems are in place.
The transition will begin with Sensodyne and Pro-enamel tubes, which will be available in fully recyclable versions from July in Europe. This transition will be reinforced by a second partnership with EPL Global for the production of Platina laminate tubes. Both laminate components have passed the recyclability tests established by the US-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and the European company RecyClass. Greenleaf 2 tubes are also recognized by Suez.circpack in Europe. The tubes will thus be recyclable and compatible with existing recycling processes. These two joint partnerships should enable more than one billion toothpaste tubes per year to become recyclable by 2025.
"As a global consumer healthcare specialist, GSK Consumer Healthcare is committed every day to preventing oral health problems and providing the most appropriate and sustainable care solutions for the greatest number of people. We are committed today that by 2025, 100 % of our packaging will be recyclable or reusable where quality and safety allow. This is just one part of our sustainable approach, through which we are working to address the social and environmental barriers we face in our daily access to healthcare."says Romana Jourdren, General Manager of GSK Consumer Healthcare France.
GSK Consumer Healthcare is working with retailers and dental professionals to drive the development of more sustainable dental hygiene product solutions around the world. In early 2021, the company launched its first sustainable "Dr. BEST" toothbrush in Germany. Made from sustainably grown bamboo with a biodegradable handle, the Dr. Best brush comes with plastic-free packaging made from recycled cardboard. For Sensodyne and Aquafresh, GSK Consumer Healthcare has also launched a plastic-free toothbrush package that incorporates a cellulose gum window to provide better product visibility for consumers.
GSK Consumer Healthcare is now working to reduce the environmental impact of dentistry and the dental industry as a founding partner of the FDI World Dental Federation's Sustainability in Dentistry initiative. GSK Consumer Healthcare's sustainability initiatives support GSK's new commitment, announced by CEO Emma Walmsley in November 2020, to achieve carbon neutrality and a positive environmental impact by 2030.
"We are extremely proud to roll out Greenleaf 2, our responsible tube packaging solution, with an inspiring market leader like GSK. We are committed to making 100% of our tubes recyclable by 2025, while offering innovative solutions containing PCR, paper and bio-based resins. Responsible packaging is now a must - and it requires a close collaboration between a committed brand and a bold supplier."says Karl Graves, Sales Director of Albea Tubes.
"EPL is proud to be a critical partner in meeting GSK's commitment to have a net zero impact on the environment by 2030. We know that sustainability will drive innovation and be central to our operations, now and in the future. We are committed to being at the forefront of sustainable packaging - and we are already ahead of the curve with Platina, the first tube-cap assembly to be recognized by the APR as fully sustainable and fully recyclable. At EPL, we believe we have an important role to play in preserving the environment and are committed to conserving resources, reducing waste and raising awareness of environmental issues."said Parag Chaturvedi, Vice President of Operations for EPL Americas.
For more information:
www.gsk.com
www.albea-group.com
www.eplglobal.com
