I was about to throw out a used up tube of Crest toothpaste when the crest.com website caught my eye. I decided to write them about their packaging:
https://crest.com/en-us/contact-us
Dear Crest,
Every time we finish up a tube of toothpaste, I feel rotten throwing the tube in the trash. Do we really need to pollute the earth just to brush our teeth or leave non-biodegradable garbage for future generations to wad through.
Could Crest put its toothpaste tubes out of post-consumer waste? If not, why not? And could you please make your packaging recyclable? It’s because I care about the earth we live on and I don’t want to contribute to crapping it up for my grandchildren.
**********************
Addendum, 4/25/2017
I got a great email response from Crest:
Hi Emily,
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us here at Crest. I’m sorry to hear you’re disappointed with our package design. I want to assure you I’ll be sharing your feedback with our design and manufacturing teams. I’d also like to provide you with some information on what we do to maintain good environmental practices.
As part of our strategy to grow responsibly, our environmental efforts are guided and inspired by our long-term environmental sustainability vision that includes:
Powering our plants with 100% renewable energy
Using 100% renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging
Having zero consumer and manufacturing waste go to landfills
Designing products that delight consumers while maximizing our conservation of resources
This vision is stretching and will take decades to achieve. To ensure we are making progress toward this vision, we have set specific, measurable goals within our environmental focus areas of Products and Operations.
I thank you again for getting in touch. Your feedback is very important to us and if there’s anything else I can help you with please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Curtis
Crest Team
Need to get back in touch? Please do not change the subject line, just hit reply. This makes sure we receive your message.
I took them up on their offer to REPLY back with the following:
**********************
Related Posts, Information, and Links
*
Writing and Calling Companies About Their Packaging
https://projectput.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/writing-and-calling-companies-about-their-packaging/
*
Project PUT: Pick Up Trash on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPUT/
@ProjectPUT
*
Project PUT: Pick Up Trash on Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/singbooksemily/project-put-pick-up-trash/
*
Project PUT: Pick Up Trash Blog:
https://projectput.wordpress.com/
*
Project PUT: Pick Up Trash Online:
ProjectPUT.org
*
Project PUT: Pick Up Trash on Twitter
https://twitter.com/ProjectPUT
Very interesting dialog – thanks for sharing that with us. Thank you also for not letting them off the hook; I trust you will share their reply (if any.)
I remember when toothpaste tubes were metallic; seems they would be a better alternative for recycling.
While researching recycling options for those plastic tubes I came across the following article that you may find relevant: http://tipsforrecycling.com/2012/01/07/tips-for-recycling-in-the-bathroom-toothpaste-tubes/
You all always keep me mindful of my waste handling practices – your article suggests that perhaps brand loyalty should not be awarded to those manufacturers who prove to be “part of the problem.”
It might be advisable to look into tooth powders as an alternative to toothpaste for dental hygiene. It may not save the planet but by switching to recyclable packaging at least our consciences would be clear.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”― Lao Tzu
Hello Infinitely Remote!!! THANKS as always for your note!! I’m looking forward to their reply to my reply. I was surprised they wrote back to the first comment, so maybe they’ll write to the second. I’m researching tooth pastes and recycling options, too. Thanks for your link, I’ll check that out. One thing looks promising is TerraCycle. I’ll post about that when I have the time to figure it out. You are absolutely right about the journey. One thing at a time!! I hope you are doing well! BEST wishes!!!
Just to let everyone interested in this thread regarding toothpaste recycling options, it is now almost 2021, and I just came across this information. I, too, practice recycling any and everything I can, which also includes brands where I put my little social security income… In a note, I am no longer a customer of Crest since the packaging is still not recyclable. I look at other Procter and Gamble products to see if any can be recycled. Shame, too, since P&G produces some really great products.
Thank you for your note! It’s important for us to communicate with makers so they know what their customers want.
I think it would be even better if sellers (grocery stores, Target, WalMart etc) would tell makers they require eco packaging!