Updated on July 26, 2023

Say Goodbye to Plastic Tubes: The Ultimate Guide to Zero-Waste Toothpaste

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Using zero-waste toothpaste is a small but impactful step towards living a sustainable lifestyle.

Plastic toothpaste tubes can contribute to a significant amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. By choosing to buy zero-waste toothpaste, you can reduce your environmental impact, while still maintaining good oral hygiene.

In this eco-product guide, I share a comprehensive list of zero-waste and plastic-free toothpaste, all of which are verified cruelty-free and vegan.

Zero-Waste Toothpaste

Below is a list of cruelty-free and vegan, zero-waste toothpaste options. It’s split between two lists: toothpaste without fluoride and toothpaste containing fluoride.

Toothpaste Fluoride-Free

Toothpaste With Fluoride

Things to consider when looking for sustainable toothpaste are, of course, the price and your budget, and your preference of flavor. As well as if you prefer toothpaste with or without fluoride, if refills are available, and the type of packaging.

From my research, plastic-free toothpaste is generally housed in one of the following packaging options: Glass jars, tins, compostable pouches, or recyclable metal tubes.

Glass and metal can be infinitely recycled. Since they’re also durable, glass and tin jars can be reused and refilled. But glass is heavier than tins or aluminum and is more prone to breaking, so tins or aluminum are probably ideal for travel. While compostable pouches are lightweight and more compact, they’re often single-use and not reusable or refillable. The same goes for recyclable metal toothpaste tubes.

Learn more about each category of zero-waste toothpaste below.

Toothpaste Tablets

Toothpaste tablets are waterless toothpaste formula pressed into a pill-like tablet. To use, you simply pop a tablet into your mouth, bite and chew till it forms a paste, and then brush as usual.

Most toothpaste tablets come in plastic-free and zero-waste packaging that can be reused and refilled with any refills once you’re done. Refills are usually packaged in compostable pouches. However, I noticed some companies don’t offer refills where they’ll send you a new jar when you repurchase. Something to keep in mind.

Bite Toothpaste Bits

Based in: USA
Price: $32 for 248 tablets ($0.13/tablet)
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Georganics Mineral Toothtablets

Based in: UK
Price: £9.90 for 180 tablets (£0.06/tablet)
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


etee Chewpaste

Based in: Canada
Price: CA$16 for 64 tablets (CA$0.25/tablet)
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refills Available: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Alpine Provisions Toothpaste Tabs

Based in: USA
Price: $12 for 62 tablets ($0.19/tablet)
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refills Available: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Love of Earth Co. Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: USA
Price: $30 for 180 tablets ($0.17/tablet)
Packaging: Glass Jar
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Waken Waterless Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: UK
Price: £5 for 60 tablets (£0.08/tablet)
Packaging: Amber Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refills Available: No

Fluoride
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Huppy Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: USA
Price: $45 for 248 tablets ($0.18/tablet)
Packaging: Tin
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Hello Toothpaste Tabs

Based in: USA
Price: $8 for 60 tablets ($0.13/tablet)
Packaging: Tin
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free* & Vegan Formula

*Note: Hello is cruelty-free but Hello is owned by Colgate, a parent compnay that is NOT cruelty-free.


Kaylaan Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: USA
Price: $12 for 90 tablets ($0.13/tablet)
Packaging: Tin
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Change Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: Canada
Price: US$8.95 for 65 tablets ($0.14/tablet)
Packaging: Compostable material derived from wood fibersRefills Available: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Denttabs Toothpaste Tablets

Based in: Berlin, Germany
Price: €6 for 125 tablets (€0.05/tablet)
Packaging: Industrial Compostable Packaging based on PLA, a corn-based plastic
Refills Available: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Unpaste Toothpaste Tablets

Unpaste is the US-based brand of Denttabs (mentioned above).

Based in: USA
Price: $10.99 for 125 tablets ($0.09/tablet)
Packaging: Industrial Compostable Packaging made from paper and corn starch
Refills Available: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Lush Toothpaste Tabs

Price: $12.50 for 1.7oz
Packaging: Recycled Plastic, but can be returned & recycled at Lush stores as part of their closed-loop recycling program, Bring It Back.
Refills Available: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula

Recyclable Metal Tube Toothpaste

If you prefer a toothpaste that is as close to conventional toothpaste tubes, where you squeeze a pea-size amount out of the tube onto your toothbrush, then toothpaste packaged in these recyclable metal tubes may be for you.

Unlike conventional plastic toothpaste tubes made from multi-layers of plastic and cannot be recycled, these metal tubes of toothpaste are recyclable.

Davids Natural Toothpaste

Based in: USA
Price: $9.95 for 149g
Packaging: Recyclable Metal Tube
Refillable: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Hey Humans Naturally Derived Toothpaste

Based in: USA
Price: $6.99 for 96g
Packaging: Recyclable Aluminum Tube
Refillable: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Waken Toothpaste

Based in: UK
Price: £4.50 for 75ml
Packaging: Recycled Aluminum Toothpaste Tube
Refillable: No

Fluoride
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula

Toothpaste in Glass Jar

Taking a conventional toothpaste formula and putting it in a glass jar is another solution to eliminating plastic toothpaste tubes. To use, either scoop some toothpaste onto your toothbrush or dip your toothbrush directly into the jar and brush as usual.

Georganics Mineral or Fluoride Toothpaste

Based in: UK
Price: £6.90 for 60ml
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refillable: No

Fluoride and Fluoride-Free Options
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Uncle Harry’s Toothpaste

Based in: USA
Price: $7 for 3oz
Packaging: Glass Jar, Plastic Lid
Refillable: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Auromere Ayurvedic Toothpaste

Based in: USA
Price: $9.95 for 4.16oz
Packaging: Glass Jar, Aluminum Lid
Refillable: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Lush Toothpaste Jelly

Price: $12 for 2.1oz
Packaging: Recycled Plastic, but can be returned & recycled at Lush stores as part of their closed-loop recycling program, Bring It Back.
Refillable: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula

Toothpaste Powder

Some may prefer to use a toothpaste that’s in a powder format as research indicates that powder is more effective at removing stains and plaque than toothpaste. However, tooth powder usually doesn’t contain fluoride.

From a sustainable packaging standpoint, unlike toothpaste in a jar or metal tube, tooth powders have refills available. That way, you can reuse and refill your glass or aluminum jar.

Georganics Mineral Toothpaste Powder

Based in: UK
Price: £6.90 for 60ml
Packaging: Glass Jar
Refills Available: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Gaia Smiles Tooth Powder

Based in: Canada
Price: CA$14
Packaging: Glass Jar
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Battle Green Mineral-Rich Tooth Powder

Based in: UK
Price: £6.95 for 50g
Packaging: Glass Jar
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Birch Babe Tooth Powder

Based in: Canada
Price: $10 for 10g
Packaging: Tin
Refills Available: No

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula


Hurraw! Volcanic Tooth Powder

Based in: USA
Price: $20 for 85g
Packaging: Glass Bottle
Refills Available: Yes

Fluoride-Free
Cruelty-Free & Vegan Formula

Why Zero-Waste Toothpaste Matters

Reduces Plastic Waste

Traditional toothpaste tubes are made of plastic and aluminum and are not recyclable. They take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste in the environment. Zero waste toothpaste, on the other hand, comes in sustainable packaging such as glass jars, metal tins, or compostable pouches. These packages are reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable, reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

Natural Ingredients

Most traditional toothpaste contains chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), triclosan, and microbeads, which can be harmful to our health and the environment. SLS can irritate the skin and cause mouth ulcers. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that can disrupt hormones and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that can be harmful to marine life when they end up in oceans. Zero waste toothpaste, on the other hand, uses natural ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils, which are safe for our health and the environment.

Saves Money in the Long Run

Zero waste toothpaste may seem more expensive than traditional toothpaste at first glance, but in the long run, it can save you money. Most zero waste toothpaste comes in a concentrated form, meaning you need less toothpaste per use. They also come in larger sizes, reducing the frequency of repurchasing toothpaste. Moreover, some zero waste toothpaste brands offer refill options, allowing you to reuse the packaging and save money on repurchasing.

Conclusion

Switching to zero waste toothpaste is a small but impactful step towards living a sustainable lifestyle. It can reduce plastic waste, eliminate harmful chemicals, and save you money in the long run. By choosing a zero waste toothpaste brand that fits your needs and preferences, you can take care of your oral hygiene while taking care of the environment.

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