Many health and beauty products are packaged in HDPE or PET tubes, but how many are actually recycled? How many end up polluting our oceans and rivers? In 2025, we face an escalating waste crisis, demanding we design products that account for the worst-case scenario.

When creating sustainable packaging, it’s essential to consider its end-of-life. Our goal was to develop a packaging solution that is recyclable in the best case and compostable or biodegradable in natural environments (marine, freshwater, and soil) in the worst case.

Introducing the Helicot™ Paper Tube—a 100% plastic-free packaging option. Made from over 80% paper and some added PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) for structure, it’s recyclable, home compostable, and biodegradable. This innovative design blends sustainable materials with the familiar form consumers expect, while the paper portion allows for vibrant, full-colour printing, ensuring both functionality and visual appeal.

Made from recycled paper, it eliminates plastic and supports a circular economy through post-consumer materials.

PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate): A biodegradable bio-based polymer, PHA decomposes in soil, freshwater, and marine environments. Unlike conventional plastics, PHA breaks down in months, leaving no harmful microplastics or residues behind.

The global plastic waste crisis is worsening, with millions of tons of plastic entering landfills and waterways every year. Traditional plastic tubes, even when recyclable, often aren’t processed due to infrastructure gaps and material limitations, leading to more pollution.

Whether it’s recycled, composted, or unintentionally released into the environment, the tube breaks down safely without contributing to long-term pollution. By using recycled paper and biodegradable PHA, the tube reduces reliance on fossil fuels and promotes the reuse of resources.

With increasing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, the Helicot™ Paper Tube meets these needs without sacrificing performance or design. The Helicot™ Paper Tube represents a breakthrough in sustainable packaging, offering a real-world solution to the pressing issue of plastic waste.

The Helicot™ Paper Tube advances sustainable packaging by addressing plastic waste. Made from over 80% recycled paper and PHA, the tube is designed to be recyclable in paper systems and fully compostable. Unlike traditional plastic tubes, which are often not recycled due to limitations in infrastructure, the Helicot™ Paper Tube is compatible with existing paper recycling systems. Testing, including the Western Michigan repulpability protocol, will assess how effectively paper-based products can be recycled.

Additionally, the Helicot™ Paper Tube is being developed for compostability. Future certifications for home and industrial composting will verify its ability to break down safely. With PHA incorporated, the tube is designed to biodegrade in marine, freshwater, and soil conditions, reducing the risk of pollution if it accidentally enters natural ecosystems.

By replacing plastic tubes with recyclable and biodegradable alternatives, the Helicot™ Paper Tube has the potential to divert millions of units from landfills and oceans. As brands increasingly seek sustainable packaging, this innovation offers a scalable solution that reduces plastic dependence while providing multiple end-of-life pathways. The Helicot™ Paper Tube aims to deliver measurable environmental benefits and set a new standard for sustainable packaging.

Category:PackagingAward Year:2025Designers:Chris Bradley, Jeff Tilley, Alan Crarer, Veritiv OPS, Buena Park, California, USAManufacturer:Veritiv, Buena Park, California, USA