As we become more environmentally conscious, the word ‘plastic’ has become synonymous with ‘bad.’ This is not without reason! Data shows that UK households throw away 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging a year, which is around 66 items per household per week. That number is nothing to sneeze at!
To make matters worse, less than 10% of household plastic is actually recycled. That’s right, most of your toothpaste tubes end up in landfill, even if they are made from “recyclable plastics”.
The good news is that there are plenty of plastic free toothpastes to choose from that will take care of your dental needs. Let’s talk about it.
The Best Plastic-Free Toothpastes on the market
With so many downsides to plastic, we can make a difference by choosing a plastic-free option that is also eco-friendly. It’s better for the environment, and your teeth! Here are some of the best brands on the market today.
1. PAIST
At the top of the list is PAIST. The tube and lid is made entirely from metal and this brand is one of the only zero plastic options out there.
They offer three different options which include, Whitening, Sensitive and Daily to cover all bases. Better still PAIST is a dentist owned brand and made with ultra premium ingredients.
Their sensitive formula contains Potassium citrate which covers exposed nerve endings to reduce sensitivity. On top of this, it also includes Hydroxyapatite which you won’t often find in supermarket brands. Hydroxyapatite remineralizes enamel and makes up 97% of your enamel.
The whitening formula doesn’t contain harsh abrasive agents and features Papain and Bromelain which are natural enzymes that break down stains. There’s also some hydrogen peroxide to support all-round whitening.
Out of the plastic free toothpaste brands out there, PAIST has really gone the extra mile. Their toothpaste has been certified vegan and natural by reputable 3rd party organisations.
Pros
- 100% plastic free
- Premium toothpaste
- Dentist formulated
- Vegan and natural certified
Cons
- Only available online
Check the latest PAIST price from official website
2. Parla
Next up is Parla, which is an alternative to the traditional tube toothpaste. Parla’s product is a toothpaste tab which comes in a glass jar that you can repurpose or recycle. What we like about toothpaste tabs is that there’s less mess, and of course, less plastic.
To use these tabs, you need to chew on them first to break it down before brushing. You may be wondering if toothpaste tabs work the same as traditional paste. The answer is, there’s no real difference from traditional toothpaste. It ultimately works the same way, it’s just in a different format.
Parla also include Hydroxyapatite in their pro series and they are vegan certified. On top of this, they’ve also obtained the highly desirable B-corp certification.
Pros
- 100% plastic free
- Dentist owned brand
- Vegan certified
- B-corp certified
Cons
- Some people may not like the idea of chewing on tabs.
Check the latest PARLA price from official website
3. Life Supplies
It’s important to remember that in the world we live in, it’s nearly impossible to always avoid plastic. If you are using plastic, a good rule is to ensure that the product is refillable, such as Life Supplies toothpaste.
This brand offers a lifetime refillable pump for their toothpaste. So, while it may have some plastic in it, you won’t be throwing it out every month. In fact, their website states that using their product may cut your plastic waste by 98%! We think that’s a pretty good deal.
Think about it. Even though you’re using their tube, it won’t go into a landfill as long as you continue using it. It’s also much more pleasing to look at than commercial toothpaste tubes.
Pros
- Refillable tube
- Sleek design
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Packaging and refills do contain some plastic
Check the latest LIFE SUPPLIES price from official website
4. Happier
If tooth tabs or jars aren’t your preference, Happier is another tube-based low plastic option. This vegan-friendly toothpaste is sold in a 100% recyclable tube that can help you reduce your plastic use.
Happier tubes are made out of traditional aluminium, which makes them easy to recycle. However, the lid is still made of plastic so it’s not a fully plastic free option. The website mentions that you can send the lid back to them so they can recycle it correctly.
Happier is designed for sensitive teeth with all-natural ingredients including papain, which is an enzyme from papayas. This ingredient can be found in many natural toothpaste products due to its anti-staining properties.
Pros
- Aluminium tube
- Vegan certified
- Cruelty free certified
Cons
- Plastic lid
Check the latest HAPPIER price from official website
5: Truthpaste
If you’re looking for something natural that doesn’t contain plastic or even fluoride, Truthpaste is a good option. This vegan-friendly and cruelty-free toothpaste brand in the UK is offering a solution in a glass jar with no additives.
Truthpaste doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients such as SLS, and their website says that the product is made out of mineral rich bentonite. The rest of the ingredients are botanicals and herbs with properties that may aid in dental health.
The main downside to Truthpaste is that it doesn't contain fluoride. Although there’s a lot of hype around going fluoride free, the claims are not science-backed. Also, it’s not actually recommended by Dentists and health authorities. The reason being, fluoride is one of the only clinically proven ingredients to prevent tooth decay.
That said, if you’re set on going for a fluoride free option that is also plastic free, then Truthpaste could be the one for you.
Pros
- Zero plastic
- Paste in a glass jar (not tabs)
- All natural
Cons
- No fluoride
Check the latest TRUTHPASTE price from official website
Why is plastic toothpaste packaging so bad?
You surely have an idea of the havoc plastic is wreaking on the environment, but it’s never a bad idea to have an overview. In the last few decades, plastic has become a mainstay in the manufacturing of many products we use on a daily basis, such as our toothpaste packaging. This convenience comes at an environmental cost, causing detrimental impact such as:
Pollution and microplastics
It can take 500 years for plastic toothpaste tubes to decompose. When they do, they turn into microplastics which can wreak havoc on the environment. These little particles have been found to build up in our oceans and aquatic life such as fish which we eat. So, not only will they be detrimental to the environment but also to us.
Ecological impact
Plastic pollution disrupts the entire planet. It can alter farming soil, obstruct natural drainage systems and can hinder agriculture. This can result in long-term repercussions for natural ecosystems.
Recycling challenges
It should be no surprise that plastic toothpaste packaging is difficult to recycle. Typically, toothpaste tubes will be made of mixed materials, so you can’t recycle them at all. That means they end up in landfills which is not good.
What to look for in plastic-free toothpaste
It’s important to note that brands may try to advertise a product as plastic-free when it isn’t. Here’s what to look for:
- Packaging: Look for eco-friendly materials such as aluminium, glass jars or compostable boxes
- Sustainability claims: Always do your research on the brand so see if they are focusing on reducing their environmental impact farther than just getting rid of plastic
- Certifications: A brand’s website/packaging will tell you if they have certifications such as “Vegan-Certified,” “Cruelty-Free” or “Certified-Natural”
- Ingredients: You should always be checking the ingredients. They should have natural, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.
- User Reviews: It’s always good to hear the opinions of people who’ve used the product first hand.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about plastic free toothpaste:
What toothpaste does not have plastic in it?
There are lots of brands nowadays that sell toothpaste that does not have plastic in it. They may be harder to find in your local supermarket as the shelves are dominated by the big brands who all use plastic.
Brands like PAIST, Parla and Truthpaste do not have any plastic in their packaging. Instead, they opt for containers that are made of metal (usually aluminium) or glass.
What is the best plastic free toothpaste?
The best plastic free toothpastes are the ones that go the extra mile to ensure the toothpaste is also of the highest quality. It’s no use having substandard toothpaste in a plastic free container, right?
For example, PAIST is a premium plastic free toothpaste that is not only zero plastic, but also provides really high quality toothpaste. Aside from containing the essentials like fluoride, it also contains ingredients such as hydroxyapatite, vitamin E, papain and bromelain. All of which you don’t often come across in supermarket brands.
Furthermore, the best plastic free toothpaste brands avoid artificial colours, flavours and foaming agents (namely SLS). Instead, they will choose natural alternatives that are better for the environment.
Aside from this, the top brands will have their toothpaste certified by reputable 3rd party organisations. For example, the products mentioned in this review have at least one of, vegan, natural or cruelty free certifications.
What's up with fluoride free toothpaste?
There’s a growing trend towards fluoride free toothpaste. But what’s up with this trend? Should we be worried about fluoride in toothpaste?
Experts say that some consumers have a misconception about the safety of fluoride, and this may be a factor in people choosing fluoride-free products.
Fluoride-free toothpastes are marketed as being a safer and more effective way to keep your teeth healthy and there’s a false claim that fluoride build up from toothpaste and water is dangerous.
But studies have shown that fluoride in toothpaste is perfectly safe. All the top dental health associations in the world like the ADA in the US and NICE in the UK recommend using toothpaste with fluoride.
In summary, the hype around fluoride free toothpaste is fuelled by misinformation online. Fluoride is one of the only ingredients that have been proven to prevent tooth decay.
Where to buy plastic free toothpaste?
It can be hard to find plastic free toothpaste in your local store or supermarket. The isles are dominated by the big brands with seemingly endless variations of the same thing. It can be confusing to know which one is best for your needs. To make matters worse, every single one comes in a plastic tube!
The best place to buy plastic free toothpaste right now is online. You can get great discounts by buying bundle packs or signing up for subscriptions. Amazon is also a great place to look and you can easily compare different options to choose which plastic free toothpaste is best for your needs.
Does all toothpaste have plastic in it?
The short answer is, no. Not all toothpaste has plastic in it.
But lots of the high street brands do. To make the toothpaste look more interesting or “cool”, brands add microplastics for added visual and sensual effect.
These added plastics will not improve the cleaning function of toothpaste in any way. Rather, it’s just an added way to entice people to use their toothpaste.
The same thing applies to coloured toothpaste. You may have noticed blue coloured toothpastes from the big brands, but it doesn’t actually do anything. Rather, it’s that some people associate blue with added freshness which may make them more likely to buy it in future.
How do I know if my toothpaste has microplastics?
Sometimes, it can be easy to spot microplastics in your toothpaste. If you notice any dots or glitter, the chances are they are made of microplastics.
They can certainly make your toothpaste look more interesting, but in reality, they do absolutely nothing to improve your dental health. It’s just a way of alluring you toward their brand over others.
Other times, it can be difficult to spot microplastics. You may have to take a closer look at the ingredients list. If you notice Polyethylene (PE), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), then it contains microplastics.
The good news is that the plastic free toothpaste brands reviewed in this article don’t contain any of the above ingredients. They don’t do anything for your teeth, so what’s the point of having them in there?
The Bottom Line
To sum it up, we really should be trying to use as little plastic as possible. Changing to a plastic-free, or minimal plastic toothpaste brand is a great step in the right direction. When switching products, always remember to consult with your dentist especially if you have gum or teeth issues that may require special care.
Even if a brand is using some plastic, it depends on why and how much. Some brands will also have options to send back the plastic bits so they can take care of the issue. With all of these options out there, there’s something for everyone! This is a sponsored article. The article should not be considered as advice.