Following extensive testing at Plastics Forming Enterprise, an independent full service testing and R&D laboratory, Albéa’s ready-to-recycle Greenleaf 2nd generation tube has now also been approved by Recyclass.
Greenleaf tubes are patented all-plastic laminate tubes for oral care as well as personal care and OTC pharma brands.
The findings demonstrated that the tube is fully compatible with the coloured HDPE container recycling stream and poses no recyclability issues. The laboratory tests were performed by the laboratory according to the APR HDPE Critical and Application Guidance testing protocols. The Greenleaf tube had previously already obtained recognition for the tube recyclability in the United States.
The tube’s recyclability is due to its specific film structure, which also enabled Albéa to reduced the amount of plastics used to produce the tube, while retaining its barrier performance. The multi-layer body of the tube consists of a 6% EVOH barrier and more than 3% PE tie layers grafted with a minimum of 0.1% maleic anhydride. Two standard layers are available, according to customer needs: 330µm for large and medium diameters, and 250µm for small and medium diameters.
The technology is recyclable as long as it meets specific conditions relating to, among others, the volume of this packaging in the recycling stream (not more than 5%), requirements regarding the density and printing technology used, and closures.
RecyClass' approval does not apply to the cap, which was not part of the test. A review of the current PP closure of the package is strongly recommended, as PP is known to affect r-HDPE properties.