Does Vaseline contain microplastics?

No, Vaseline products do not contain microplastics. Our formulations are carefully developed to be safe for both your skin and the environment.

Vaseline's Commitment to Sustainable Packaging

At Vaseline, our promise extends beyond healthy skin to mindful environmental stewardship. We are actively reducing our ecological footprint by incorporating more post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials and optimizing our bottle designs. This ongoing journey is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future. Explore our latest packaging innovations and recycling initiatives below.

Key Takeaways for Vaseline's Sustainability Efforts

Plastic Reduction: We've significantly reduced plastic in our lotion bottles and are exploring solutions for Healing Jelly jars.
Recycled Content: Our North American lotion bottles now contain 50% recycled plastic, driving demand for PCR materials.
Recyclable Pumps: Innovative #5 plastic pumps make our Intensive Care lotion bottles easier to recycle.
Comprehensive Recycling Guide: Learn how to properly recycle various Vaseline product packaging.
Continuous Evolution: We are committed to ongoing innovation in sustainable packaging and waste reduction.

Empty & Replace Cap: Ensure the bottle is empty, then securely reattach the cap. Both the bottle and cap are recyclable as a single unit.

Check this guide to verify how your local municipality processes "#2 Plastic Bottles" for recycling.

Empty & Replace Pump: Empty the bottle completely and reattach the pump before recycling. This ensures smaller components are processed effectively within North American recycling systems. If you have the plastic locking clip, please reattach it (the clip itself is too small to be recycled separately).

If your bottle features an older pump design without a clip, please discard the pump and recycle the bottle separately.

Consult this guide to see how your local municipality recycles "#2 Plastic Bottles" and "#5 Plastic." If #5 plastic is not accepted locally, remove and discard the pump before recycling the bottle.

The plastic used in Vaseline® Healing Jelly Jars is now widely recyclable according to How2Recycle standards!

Empty & Replace Cap: Both the jar and lid are recyclable. Keep them attached to ensure they are processed together, as smaller detached pieces can be missed by sorting machines.

As of July 2022, How2Recycle reclassified Vaseline Healing Jelly jars (made of polypropylene, #5 plastic) from 'check locally' to 'widely recyclable.' We are updating our packaging labels to reflect this change. For more information, visit here.

Please note: 0.25oz Vaseline® Lip Therapy jars are not recyclable due to their small size. Refer to the "Body Balm Sticks and Other Lip Products" section for more details.

Not RECYCLABLE

While we are working to ensure our tubes meet the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recyclability guidelines, current mixed-material tubes are not widely collected or processed for recycling. Therefore, they are not currently recyclable.

We anticipate future industry advancements will improve tube recyclability. In the meantime, please dispose of Vaseline tubes in general waste.

Not RECYCLABLE

Currently, Vaseline® body balm sticks and certain lip products (as pictured) are not recyclable and should be disposed of in general waste.

These products are typically non-recyclable for one or more of the following reasons:

Size: Items smaller than 2 inches x 2 inches may be too small for most recycling sorting machinery to capture.
Material Composition: Some products are made from multiple materials that current recycling systems cannot effectively separate for processing.

Image showing the design contract between the old bottle design and current one

Reducing Plastic in Vaseline Lotion Bottles

We are dedicated to minimizing plastic use in our products while ensuring packaging integrity. Our redesigned lotion bottles now feature a reduced plastic footprint, contributing to a more eco-friendly solution.

Following our success with lotion bottles, we are now focusing on our Healing Jelly jars. We are actively exploring innovative ways to redesign these jars to incorporate less plastic in the future, seeking sustainable solutions.

Circular graphic showing the process of recycled plastic usage

Increasing Recycled Plastic Content in Packaging

Vaseline is committed to boosting the use of recycled plastic in our North American bottle production, supporting a more circular economy.

By utilizing post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, we contribute to increased demand for these materials, encouraging broader industry adoption of recycling practices and reducing reliance on virgin plastic.

In 2022, our lotion bottles in the US and Canada were upgraded to contain 50% recycled plastic content, a significant improvement from the previous 0-25% range, enhancing our sustainable packaging efforts.

We are continuously exploring methods to further increase recycled content in our packaging. These innovations require careful development to ensure product quality and reliable material sourcing. Our team is rigorously testing various plastic materials to find optimal solutions that maintain the Vaseline lotion experience while boosting sustainability.

Vaseline Recyclable Pump Advanced Repair 32oz

Introducing Vaseline's Recyclable Lotion Pumps

Vaseline® Intensive Care lotion bottles now feature innovative recyclable pumps, making your recycling routine simpler and more eco-friendly!

Vaseline has innovated its Intensive Care lotion pumps to be more sustainable. Unlike traditional pumps with metal springs, our new design uses #5 plastic, simplifying disposal. Learn more about our new recyclable pump.

Hand holding Vaseline Nourish Moisture bottle in the air

Understanding Vaseline Product Recyclability in the US

While many Vaseline products are recyclable, some are not. We understand that recycling guidelines can be complex, which is why we've provided clear information to help you navigate proper disposal.

Certain packaging components, like most tubes in the US, are not yet widely recyclable due to mixed materials or processing limitations. We are actively working to align our tubes with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) guidelines.

Always check the back of your product packaging for specific disposal instructions. Vaseline participates in the How2Recycle program, offering standardized labels to clarify recycling steps across North America. For more details, visit How2Recycle.com.

Lotion Bottle with Cap

Vaseline Lotion Bottles with Pump Lineup

Lotion Bottle with Pump

Healing Jelly Jars (1.75oz to 13oz)

Vaseline Lip Tins

Vaseline Tubes

Vaseline Body Balm Sticks and Other Lip Products

Your Role in Sustainable Recycling

By recycling properly, you contribute to increasing the availability of recycled plastic for us and other manufacturers, significantly reducing the industry’s reliance on new, virgin plastic. Join us in making a positive environmental impact by recycling your Vaseline® products whenever possible!

Vaseline: A Legacy of Continuous Evolution

With over 150 years of heritage, Vaseline® remains committed to innovation. We are continuously working to reduce virgin plastic in our designs, increase recycled content, and minimize plastic waste. While significant progress has been made with our lotion bottles, we are actively developing sustainable solutions for all our product formats.

Explore our brand timeline to see key sustainability milestones throughout our history.

Stay Informed on Our Sustainability Journey

We are dedicated to continuous improvement in our sustainability efforts. Our plans are constantly evolving, and we invite you to stay updated on our progress. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and developments!

Many Vaseline product packages are recyclable, including most lotion bottles, Healing Jelly jars (1.75oz to 13oz), and lip tins. We encourage you to check our detailed recycling guide on this page and the How2Recycle label on your product for specific instructions.

Yes, Vaseline has been actively redesigning its packaging to be more sustainable. This includes reducing plastic in our lotion bottles, increasing the use of recycled plastic content, and introducing recyclable pumps. We are continuously evolving our packaging solutions.

Vaseline is committed to reducing its environmental impact through several initiatives, including minimizing virgin plastic use, incorporating more post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, developing recyclable components like our new pumps, and providing clear recycling guidance for consumers.

Yes, as of July 2022, Vaseline Healing Jelly jars (1.75oz to 13oz), made of #5 polypropylene plastic, are classified as 'widely recyclable' by How2Recycle. Please ensure the jar is empty and the cap is reattached before recycling.

Some Vaseline products, such as tubes and very small lip therapy jars (0.25oz), are not currently recyclable due to factors like mixed material composition or their small size, which can be missed by recycling sorting machinery. We are actively working on solutions for these formats.

Our Brand Mission

Vaseline's Commitment to Sustainable Packaging

Key Takeaways for Vaseline's Sustainability Efforts

How to Recycle Your Vaseline Products

1. Recycle Vaseline Lotion Bottles with Caps

2. Recycle Vaseline Lotion Bottles with Pumps

3. Recycle Vaseline Healing Jelly Jars (1.75oz to 13oz)

4. Recycle Vaseline Lip Tins

5. Disposing of Vaseline Tubes

6. Disposing of Vaseline Body Balm Sticks and Select Lip Products

Innovating Our Approach to Plastic Packaging

Reducing Plastic in Vaseline Lotion Bottles

130

TONS

OF PLASTIC AVOIDED BETWEEN 2018 AND 2022 THROUGH PACKAGING REDESIGN, EQUIVALENT TO

2.3

MILLION

VASELINE® 20.3OZ BOTTLES (IN THE REDESIGNED FORMAT)

Increasing Recycled Plastic Content in Packaging

500

TONS

OF RECYCLED PLASTIC USED IN VASELINE® PRODUCT PACKAGING IN NORTH AMERICA SINCE 2018, EQUIVALENT TO

8.7

MILLION

VASELINE® 20.3OZ BOTTLES

(IN THE REDESIGNED FORMAT)

Introducing Vaseline's Recyclable Lotion Pumps

Understanding Vaseline Product Recyclability in the US

Lotion Bottle with Cap

Lotion Bottle with Pump

Healing Jelly Jars (1.75oz to 13oz)

Vaseline Lip Tins

Vaseline Tubes

Vaseline Body Balm Sticks and Other Lip Products

Your Role in Sustainable Recycling

Vaseline: A Legacy of Continuous Evolution

Stay Informed on Our Sustainability Journey

Frequently Asked Questions About Vaseline's Sustainability

Does Vaseline contain microplastics?

Is Vaseline packaging recyclable?

Has Vaseline changed its packaging recently?

What is Vaseline doing to reduce its environmental impact?

Are Vaseline Healing Jelly jars widely recyclable?

Why are some Vaseline products not recyclable?

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VASELINE® 20.3OZ BOTTLES
(IN THE REDESIGNED FORMAT)