Zero Waste Toothpaste Is One of the Easiest Plastic Free Swaps You Can Make
Zero waste toothpaste is one of the easiest plastic free swaps you can make and it doesn’t have to be difficult. These brands use natural ingredients to keep you and the planet healthy.
Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes
Fluoride or no fluoride? Paste or tablet? Manual or electric?
All of the above or none of the above, you can find arguments for any of those combinations online. But no matter your preference there’s something we can all agree on — toothpaste, and oral health, creates a lot of waste.
In fact, every toothbrush ever made is still sitting around in landfills or oceans (minus ones that have been incinerated). But the point is, they don’t break down and they don’t go away.
As you’re probably aware, the purpose of zero waste is to reduce the amount of trash and waste you’re disposing of and sending to the landfill. The goal is to compost, biodegrade, and reuse as much as possible.
We know no one’s perfect and a 100% zero waste lifestyle is extremely difficult but every small change you can make can make a difference.
Switching to a zero waste toothpaste doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on quality or cleanliness! Below are three of our favorite zero waste toothpastes.
Why Switch To A Zero Waste Toothpaste
A few years ago you would have had to go to a natural food store or a co-op or maybe even a farmer’s market to be able to find a toothpaste alternative to the big commercial brands.
Today there are so many options available, which is amazing, but not every product is made the same. And not every product will fit your needs.
In the United States over 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year. That doesn’t include toothbrushes, floss, floss containers, toothpaste boxes, you get the idea. Because the standard tube is made with a variety of plastics and materials, they’re generally not recyclable and most likely not recyclable at your curbside pickup point.
In addition to the waste it creates, over the counter toothpaste is full of chemicals. With all the choices we have today, you’ll easily be able to find a toothpaste with natural ingredients in eco-friendly packaging that gets the job done and keeps your teeth and gums healthy and clean!
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
Our Favorite Zero Waste Toothpaste Brands
Davids Toothpaste
Davids Toothpaste is one of the few zero waste toothpastes to come in a tube. If you’re not used to the idea of a powder or a tablet, or comfortable with the process of getting toothpaste from a jar to your toothbrush then David’s is a good option for you.
The variety of toothpastes they offer utilize natural compounds that can help to reduce plaque and freshen your breath in a safe and effective manner. They contain no fluoride or sulfates and have xylitol for better oral health. Bonus points for being vegan and not being tested on animals.
These toothpastes come in 4 different flavor options and all are sourced with 98% USA sourced ingredients in addition to passing the rigorous standards to be verified by the EWG.
For their commitment to sustainability, Davids Toothpaste uses aluminum metal tubes lined with a food grade liner (BPA Free). The liner helps keep the toothpaste inside from leaking out or anything getting in.
When recycling your tube, make sure to clean it out thoroughly and put it with curbside recycling. Currently David’s does not have a takeback program but aluminum metal is infinitely recyclable. In fact, of all the aluminum ever produced, roughly 75% is still in use today.
In addition to their sustainable packaging, each tube comes with a tube roller also made of mild steel — also recyclable. This key will leave no drop of toothpaste unused and also nicely roll up your tube so you don’t have to before you brush your teeth each time.
Pro tip — after your first purchase, hang on to the key and you can choose to not get one for future orders!
Georganics Tooth Powder
Georganics is a UK based company focused on providing safe and effective products for humans and the planet. All their products are free of SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), Parabens, and Triclosan and free of synthetic chemicals and fragrances.
Diatomaceous Earth acts as a stain remover (think wine and coffee) and strengtheners, Calcium Carbonate and Kaolin Clay act as polishing agents and helps to naturally whiten teeth, and Organic Peppermint Oil adds flavor and acts as natural antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties.
Not only is the packaging eco-friendly chic, everything is packaged plastic-free in biodegradable paper cartons, even the print is made from vegetable ink. Rather than using bubble wrap or other plastic-y filling, cardboard from suppliers is shredded to keep your product protected on its journey to you!
Their tooth powder is naturally whitening and comes in 6 flavors using organic plant based essential oils for flavoring — including Charcoal — if you want to call that a flavor.
The jars themselves are made from glass and aluminum, both can be infinitely recycled, upcycled, or used to store the refillable product.
And if you live in the U.K. you can participate in the take back program for brush heads to be recycled with TerraCycle.
Georganics Toothpaste
If you’re not quite ready to switch from a toothpaste to a powder, this is a great option for you. Still with the consistency of a paste but in a jar rather than a tube, it might take some getting used to. It foams up just like regular toothpaste and includes a compostable bamboo spatula to help you get the perfect amount onto your toothbrush.
Georganics Tooth Tablets
If you’re ready to try the oh-so-trendy tooth tablets you’ve probably seen around by now, look no further than these tablets by Georganics! All the benefits of a Georganics product, but no paste or powder to deal with.
Is it a liquid, is it a solid? Never worry about getting through TSA again!
As with anything new the taste and feel of the tablets can take some getting used to but for effective cleaning and whitening, eco-friendly packaging, and no animal cruelty these tablets are worth it. To use, simply chew a tablet, let it dissolve and brush as usual!
Other Zero Waste Oral Hygiene Products
If you’re ready to replace some more bathroom products for zero waste one, here are some other options!
- This bamboo toothbrush that is made with USDA certified 100% Biobased Bristles.
- This stainless steel tongue scraper. Using a tongue scraper as part of your daily routine can help reduce bacteria and plaque on the tongue which leads to fresher breath.
- This bamboo charcoal floss is made from bamboo fibers and coated in candelilla wax to easily get between your teeth. Packaged in a glass container with a metal lid, both the packaging and the floss are easily compostable. Purchase a refill floss and use the container over and over!
- Finish it off with these mouthwash tablets.
Is it a liquid, is it a solid? Never worry about getting through TSA again!
As with anything new the taste and feel of the tablets can take some getting used to but for effective cleaning and whitening, eco-friendly packaging, and no animal cruelty these tablets are worth it. To use, simply chew a tablet, let it dissolve and brush as usual!
Get the entire Zero Waste Fresh Mouth Kit Here!
As with any zero waste journey, make sure to know what values are most important to you. If you need help figuring that out, check out our post on the 10 Green Commandments.
With so many styles, textures, and flavours available there’s a zero waste toothpaste out there waiting for you. The end goal is to make sure your products are taking care of your health while being friendly and as low-impact to the planet as possible.
If you have any concerns switching to a natural toothpaste, always talk to your doctor. Remember, making zero waste moves imperfectly is better than not making any at all.
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