Toothpaste is something that we need to use everyday, but did you know that it can create tons of waste? In the US and UK alone, over a billion toothpaste tubes go to landfill every year.
To make matters worse, it takes over 500 years for plastic toothpaste tubes to decompose. This means that every toothpaste tube you've ever used is probably still out there somewhere!
Aside from this, most toothpastes on the market contain artificial flavours, colouring and foaming agents that some people would prefer to avoid.
Since we shouldn’t stop brushing our teeth, what are we supposed to do? Well, we have good news! There are several eco-friendly toothpaste brands on the market that the environmentally conscious can try out.
What to look for in eco friendly toothpaste?
When it comes to choosing an eco friendly toothpaste brand, there are lots of things to consider. Aside from the obvious things like packaging, there are other factors to be aware of such as the ingredients and eco credentials.
We’re going to take a closer look at what to look out for when researching a sustainable toothpaste brand.
Natural ingredients
The first thing you’ll want to look for in an eco-friendly toothpaste are natural ingredients. For example artificial flavours, foaming agents and preservatives are present in most supermarket brands. eco-friendly toothpaste will opt for natural alternatives instead.
Now, it’s not to say that artificial ingredients are necessarily “bad”, however, you may prefer to stick to natural ingredients only.
Some key ingredients to be aware of include:
SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate)
This is an artificial foaming agent you’ll find in any personal care product that foams. For example, face wash, shampoo and body wash. It’s also present in most toothpastes. SLS has been linked with skin conditions such as eczema in people who have sensitive skin. There’s also some concern that SLS build up in water could be harmful to aquatic life. (1)
With that said, there’s a lot of debate around the impact of SLS on the environment and there is no concrete proof at the time of writing.
Given the fact there are natural foaming agent alternatives available, eco friendly toothpaste brands will choose a plant based alternative such as Cocamidopropyl betaine which is derived from coconut oil.
Artificial flavours and colouring
You may be surprised to hear that most of the toothpaste you’ve ever used is artificially flavoured. That’s right, the minty taste you’re used to is not actually pure mint or spearmint oil.
Often, the original mint oil is chemically adapted to create a more intense flavour. This creates an explosion of flavour which most people associate with a feeling of freshness.
Eco toothpaste brands stick to the basics and pick natural mint or spearmint oils. The more subtle flavours can take some getting used to. But once you’ve switched to natural flavours, it’s hard to go back to the artificial versions.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent which was banned by the FDA in 2016. The main reason being that it couldn't be proven that it helps clean skin better than plain soap. There are also concerns that Triclosan can be absorbed through the skin and build up in the body causing potential hormone and gut disturbance.
Triclosan is still allowed in toothpastes as an added ingredient to fight gingivitis. In reality, gingivitis is easily treated by good brushing technique, the presence of fluoride and flossing which is the advice given by Dentists.
The eco friendly toothpaste brands we’ve picked out in this article do not contain Triclosan or any other chemicals of concern.
Sustainable packaging
The vast majority of toothpaste tubes in the world come in plastic packaging. This is a big problem as most are not recycled.
Although the plastic tubes may be technically “recyclable”, the truth is that less than 10% is actually recycled.
This means that even if your intentions are good and you opt for recyclable plastic toothpaste tubes and dispose of them correctly. In reality, it’s most likely it will be incinerated or end up in landfill.
The issue is, we are producing way too much plastic for recycling to be relevant. That’s why eco-friendly toothpaste brands aim to eliminate or greatly reduce the amount of plastic they use in their packaging.
Green credentials
It’s easy for brands to claim that their toothpaste is natural, cruelty free, organic, vegan and so on... But has this been verified by a reputable organisation?
That’s why it’s important to look out for proof that their green credentials are verified. An easy way to do this is to look for official trademarks such as:
- Vegan society
- Leaping bunny (cruelty free)
- USDA Organic
- Natural ingredient
This list is not exhaustive and there may be other registered trademarks you want to consider depending on your personal goals. In any case, it’s important to know that the eco-friendly toothpaste brand you choose has gone the extra mile to get verified.
The Best Eco-Friendly Toothpastes
Now that we know what to look for in eco-friendly toothpaste, let’s check out some of those options.
#1 PAIST
First, we’re going to talk about PAIST, a 100% plastic free toothpaste tube. At the time of writing, it’s the only toothpaste brand around that’s in a zero plastic tube, including the lid.
Metals are highly recyclable and can be melted down and reused over and over again.
The brand is co-founded by Dr Elham who is a registered UK Dentist. Their ingredients are certified natural and vegan and there are three options to choose from depending on your preference.
PAIST does not contain artificial flavours, preservatives or SLS so it ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a top eco-friendly toothpaste.
Key features:
- 100% Plastic free
- Natural and vegan certified
- Premium ingredients
- Formulated and owned by Dentists
- Stunning packaging
Check latest PAIST price
#2: Happier
Another eco-friendly toothpaste to try is Happier. This one is also sold in a tube but It’s important to note that the lid is made of plastic. However, you can return the lid to them so they can recycle it properly.
The toothpaste itself is certified cruelty free as well as vegan, and is designed for sensitive teeth. One of the main ingredients is Papain, which is an enzyme that comes from papaya. Research has shown that this enzyme can provide anti-staining capabilities making it perfect for an eco-friendly toothpaste.
Happier also boasts being free from SLS and triclosan to make sure you have a happy and healthy mouth.
Key features:
- Plastic free tube (lid is plastic)
- Cruelty free and vegan certified
- Free from artificial ingredients
Check latest Happier price
#3: Life Supplies
Continuing with the tubed eco-friendly toothpaste trend, we have Life Supplies. What sets Life Supplies apart from the other brands is that they offer a refillable tube with lifetime refills. Their website states that using their refill system could cut your plastic waste up to 98%. So, while the tube may contain some plastic you won’t be throwing it out every month since they will send you a refill pouch.
As for the paste itself, Life Supplies comes flavoured with peppermint oil for an all-natural mint taste. Life Supplies also contains papain to help naturally dissolve stains and keep your teeth white.
Life Supplies contains fluoride and other natural ingredients which makes it just as effective as the high street brands. We love the refillable bottle option if you’re looking to reduce waste and the pain of dealing with recycling old tubes.
Key features:
- Refillable tube
- Sleek design
- Great quality toothpaste
- Offer range of refillable bathroom products
Check latest Happier price
#4: Parla
If you want to ditch the tube entirely, there are other options. Some eco-friendly toothpaste brands such as Parla have designed toothpaste tabs. These tablets are simple to use. All you do is wet your toothbrush, pop them in your mouth and get to brushing.
The packaging is made of a glass jar and aluminium lid so it's a great zero plastic option. It’s also a Dentist owned brand and formulated to contain premium ingredients like Hydroxyapatite.
If you’re a fan of the toothpaste tabs, Parla is certainly one of the best eco friendly toothpaste options out there.
Key features:
- Zero Plastic
- Certified B Corp
- Vegan certified
Check latest Parla price
#5: Truthpaste
Truthpaste is a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free brand offering another type of eco-friendly toothpaste. What’s unique about Truthpaste is that It comes as a paste within a glass jar. They also provide a handy spatula so you can scoop out the paste onto your brush.
It’s important to note that while Truthpaste contains all natural ingredients, it lacks fluoride, which is clinically proven to prevent tooth decay. Your dentist is unlikely to recommend toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride. However, if you prefer to have a fluoride free option anyway, Turthpaste may be the right choice for you.
Key features:
- Paste within a glass jar
- Fluoride free
- No SLS or palm oil
Check latest Truthpaste price
Which toothpaste is best for the environment?
Now that we’ve gone through the best eco friendly toothpaste brands on the market, we can go into more detail on the specifics.
“Eco-friendly” is an umbrella term and means different things to different people. By definition, it means “not harmful to the environment”.
But the truth is, everything we do has some impact on the environment. So in reality, eco-friendly toothpastes are designed to minimise the impact on the environment, rather than eliminate it.
Improving the sustainability of Packaging is often the main focus of eco friendly toothpaste brands. Refillable options are arguably one of the better ways to tackle the sustainability issue. However, for most people, it can be quite a big change in their habits switching from disposable plastic toothpaste tubes to refillable toothpaste tabs.
That’s why we’ve included options like PAIST and Happier which are a middle ground where the change in your daily routine won’t feel as drastic.
Is Eco Friendly toothpaste effective?
One of the main concerns people have when switching to an eco-friendly toothpaste brand is whether it works as well as the big brands.
The thing to be aware of is that the only ingredient that’s clinically proven to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is Fluoride.
The remainder of what makes up toothpaste is essentially fillers and gum to create the consistency we are all used to.
On the other hand, the best eco friendly toothpaste brands add a lot more to their formula to enhance effectiveness. Ingredients such as Hydroxyapatite for tooth remineralisation and bromelain for natural whitening are often included.
So if anything, eco-friendly toothpaste can be a lot more premium compared to the cheaper supermarket options.
Can eco-friendly toothpaste protect from tooth decay?
The short answer to this question is, yes absolutely.
As we mentioned above, the only proven ingredient that protects from tooth decay is fluoride. The best eco friendly toothpaste brands often include it.
Although there is a growing trend toward fluoride free toothpaste, it’s not recommended by Dental professionals or scientists. To date, there has been no evidence to show that fluoride levels in water and toothpaste are harmful in any way.
Aside from fluoride, the other critically important way to prevent tooth decay is regular brushing (twice a day) using the correct technique. The mechanical removal of food debris is essential in removing festering bacteria between teeth.
On that note, the often overlooked action of dental flossing is also very important. Brushing alone can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth. And this is where tooth decay actually starts. It’s a perfectly protected area for bacteria to multiply and grow. Flossing helps clear the spaces between your teeth to prevent decay.
Is eco-friendly toothpaste good for gum disease?
To answer this question, we first need to go into what gum disease is. Also known as “gingivitis”, gum disease is the name given to inflammation in your gums around the tooth.
Gum disease occurs when bacteria build up around the gumline and the best way to treat it is by maintaining good oral hygiene. You’ve guessed it, brushing twice a day and flossing are the mainstay of treating gum disease.
So really, it’s the proper cleaning of your teeth that treats gum disease rather than toothpaste itself.
So if you’re suffering with gum disease, it may be worth investing in a good electric toothbrush and dental floss. A high quality toothpaste like the eco friendly brands in this article are all good options to help clean your teeth.
Are toothpaste tabs as good as normal toothpaste?
When people think of eco friendly toothpaste, the first thought that comes to mind are toothpaste tabs.
These are dehydrated tabs of toothpaste that you have to chew and add water to before brushing. They don’t foam the same way as paste and some people may not like the gritty texture they have.
With that said, they should work just as well as a paste. They contain the same essential ingredients, but it’s just presented in a different format.
So to answer the question, toothpaste tabs are, in fact, just as good as paste. The only difference is whether you mind change in habit by having to chew tabs before brushing.
What are the benefits of eco-friendly toothpaste?
Here are some of the top benefits to choosing an eco-friendly toothpaste for your chompers.
Reduction of environmental impact
When you choose an eco-friendly toothpaste, you’re contributing to the reduction of plastic waste and supporting a healthier planet! Your eco-friendly toothpaste should be mostly recyclable, and if there is plastic there should be very little. It’s always important to do your research and check the label.
Your teeth and gums will thank you
The lack of harsh chemicals and only natural ingredients in eco-friendly toothpaste will make for a happy mouth. They can be gentler on gums and may offer additional antibacterial or whitening benefits without the harmful additives.
You’ll save money
Another thing to consider is that most eco-friendly toothpaste brands are in the business of reducing waste, which can save you money. For example, if you buy one that comes in a refillable container you won’t be spending the extra cost for another container when the refill comes. Or you may purchase tooth tabs that come in a reusable jar that you can repurpose around your house.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that there are tons of eco-friendly toothpastes on the market. In this review, we’ve taken a close look at the best sustainable toothpaste brands available right now.
The important thing is ensuring you choose one that is actually eco-friendly and suitable for your dental needs.
Make sure to look out for verified eco-credentials from reputable 3rd party organisations. This ensures that the toothpaste has been checked to meet the standard of the claims made.
A final reminder that Dentists will always recommend choosing a toothpaste that contains fluoride. After all, it’s one of the only ingredients clinically proven to prevent tooth decay.
With all that said, you can’t go wrong with any of the top eco friendly toothpaste brands in this review. This is a sponsored article. The article should not be considered as advice.