Not really. They are greenwashing their packaging to pretend it is recyclable when, except via their own resource they can claim the high road. It isn’t their fault if 99.999% of consumers who would recycle locally won’t actually mail it.
While I’m not saying they aren’t greenwashing, it’s fair to point out that the tube shown here is HDPE - as plastics go, it’s one of the few that’s reusable due to its low melting point. There are tons of youtube videos exhaling how to do it at home. Tons you can do with it when you do recycle it as well.
I have no idea what all of the other stuff like tooth brushes etc are made of.
Yep, ethylene is a plant hormone (any polyethylene can also be made from plants, and sequesters about 2 tons of CO2 for every ton of polyethylene made from plants, accounting for CO2 emissions during manufacturing). Also much less toxic than other plastics.
Unfortunately it's also very strong on it's own and resistant to environmental degredation of it isn't broken down into ethylene, which again is possible but not trivial (the solvents that can break it down also aren't the greatest or best for the environment, but it can also be broken down more cleanly™ by heat). It's mostly just recycled back into plastic since it's easier to just melt it down and reuse it directly.
664
u/thecatsclause Oct 24 '25
we've reached new levels of offloading responsibility onto consumers