Recology spokesman said toothpaste tubes, even new ones made from HDPE #2 plastic and marked as recyclable, cannot be recycled in San Francisco or in most other communities. MDRR has partnered with Colgate-Palmolive and Glacier to gather real-time data on the recovery of the newer HDPE #2 plastic toothpaste tubes using AI-powered cameras. Last fall, MDRR’s residential recycling program began to officially accept HDPE #2 plastic squeeze tubes in the blue recycling bins. Toothpaste tablets are nothing new. Former U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck is all for alternatives to plastic tubes.