Best Zero Waste Toothpaste for 2024

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Best Zero Waste Toothpaste for the Entire Family

As you’re working toward your zero waste bathroom, you might take a look at that plastic tube of toothpaste on your counter and wonder if there’s a better solution. In fact, there is! You can make the switch to the best zero waste toothpaste and enjoy the same clean and fresh feeling without all the waste.

Once you decide which zero waste toothpaste is right for you, don’t forget to switch over to a bamboo toothbrush (or get an eco-friendly electric toothbrush) and pick out the best eco-friendly floss so you can make your oral care as sustainable as possible.

Why Switch to Zero Waste Toothpaste?

As you start on your zero waste journey, you’ll find that some areas get all the attention. You know you should switch to a reusable straw and work on reducing your microfiber pollution to protect our oceans. You also understand why it’s important to reduce your plastic use.

But there are still household objects that are so common, you might not even consider how much waste they actually produce. The lowly plastic tube of toothpaste is one such item.

It’s estimated that around 1.5 million tubes of toothpaste are thrown away around the world every year. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to recycle toothpaste tubes because they’re made from blended plastics, often have leftover toothpaste remaining inside, and they’re too small.

Plus, since plastic isn’t biodegradable, these tubes can sit in landfills for up to 700 years. Of course, that’s if they actually stay in the landfill. Many tubes are also part of the 8 million tons of plastic pollution that end up in our oceans every year.

At this point, it’s clear that in order to reduce waste you need to switch to a zero waste toothpaste. Fortunately, no matter what type of oral care and flavor you prefer, you’ll be able to find the best zero waste toothpaste options for the entire family.

1. Easiest to Use Zero Waste Toothpaste

Etee tablet toothpaste sitting next to bamboo toothbrush

If you tend to do a lot of traveling, you need a toothpaste that makes zero waste travel super easy. That’s why you should select toothpaste tablets like Etee’s Chewpaste.

Not only are these toothpaste tablets what I choose to bring along when I travel, but they’re also what I use every day at home.

They’re by far the simplest form of zero waste toothpaste to use. All you have to do is pop a tablet in your mouth, chew it up, and then use your toothbrush like you normally do.

The tablets are made with natural ingredients that include xylitol and baking soda, which can help remove stains, whiten teeth, and strengthen enamel. You also have your choice of with fluoride or fluoride-free tablets.

They come in a reusable or recyclable glass jar, and you can choose a 1-month supply or a 3-month supply. When you run out, the refills come in compostable pouches.

Not sure if toothpaste tablets are right for you? Try out a sample size! This sample comes with 10 tablets, so you can easily get a feel for how they work.

If you like the idea of toothpaste tablets, here are some other good options you can consider:

I will note that it was hard to get used to these tablets the first few times I used them. I felt like I was eating a TUMS tablet or chewing on chalk. I’ve since discovered that it helps to put a tiny amount of extra water in my mouth before chewing the tablet.

2. Best Zero Waste Toothpaste in a Tube

Most zero waste toothpastes come in a glass jar that you can reuse or recycle. If you’re concerned that bacteria might spread from dipping your toothbrush in the jar (especially if several family members are sharing the same jar) you have a few options.

Some jars will come with their own spoon. You can also keep a small spoon or 1/4 teaspoon with the jar and use it to scoop out toothpaste.

Or you can choose Davids Natural Peppermint Toothpaste, which is a zero waste toothpaste that comes in a recyclable metal tube. If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, you can select Davids Peppermint Charcoal Toothpaste. You can also get Davids Natural Spearmint Toothpaste if you prefer that flavor.

All of these options use natural ingredients that can safely and effectively reduce plaque and freshen breath. They’re also fluoride-free, sulfate-free, and include xylitol for better oral health. Plus, they’re vegan and not tested on animals.

Lastly, so you can rest assured that what you’re putting into your body is safe, Davids Natural Toothpaste is a EWG Verified product. This means it passes strict health criteria and is made with good manufacturing practices.

3. Best Zero Waste Toothpaste Gel

A toothpaste gel is another option you can consider if you’re not interested in using a powder or tablets. NOICE makes a dental gel that’s good for you and for the planet.

The dental gel uses clean, organic ingredients like licorice root extract, tea tree oil, mentha piperita oil, and anise seed oil to freshen your breath and protect your teeth. It also includes the stain removing power of charcoal to help you get naturally white teeth.

What you won’t find inside includes sulfates, artificial flavors and sweeteners, and animal-derived products.

To help protect the planet from even more plastic waste, the dental gel comes in a glass bottle. If you sign up for the convenient and eco-friendly subscription service, your first bottle will come with a swappable pump. When you finish a bottle, simply switch the pump to the new bottle and reuse or recycle the old bottle.

Plus, every bottle of this natural dental gel comes right to your door in Forest Stewardship Council-certified cardboard box that you can either recycle or compost.

4. Best Zero Waste Toothpaste for Whitening

While coffee and tea offer an excellent pick-me-up in the morning and a nice glass of red wine is a great way to unwind in the evening, these drinks can leave your teeth stained and discolored. Fortunately, Lucky Teeth Activated Charcoal Toothpaste is here to help.

This zero waste toothpaste uses activated charcoal to help naturally whiten teeth in a matter of minutes and freshen your breath. Unlike bleach-based whitening strips and gels, this toothpaste is easy on your gums and safe for your enamel.

Not only does this tooth powder whiten teeth, but it’s also enriched with healing herbs and oils that help clean and detoxify your mouth. It comes in a glass container with a metal lid that you can either reuse or recycle when you’re done.

The powder is also fluoride-free, glycerin-free, gluten-free, and not tested on animals. Best of all, it also comes with a small wooden spoon you can use to scoop the powder onto your wet toothbrush.

5. Best Zero Waste Toothpaste for Kids

You’re not the only one who can make the switch to a zero waste toothpaste. If you’re searching for the best zero waste toothpaste for kids, check out Balm Baby Teeth Paste.

This zero waste toothpaste is sweetened with xylitol, which is safe for teeth and provides a subtle enough sweetness that it can entice children to brush their teeth. Even better, new studies are showing that xylitol may actually help prevent cavities.

The leading cause of tooth decay is an oral bacteria that’s responsible for plaque. While these bacteria feed on xylitol just like they feed on glucose from food, they can’t use xylitol for fuel, and they eventually end up dying. Over time, xylitol causes less decay-causing bacteria to survive on teeth, which means less plaque forms.

Balm Baby Teeth Paste comes in a glass jar with a metal lid, so you can either recycle it or reuse it. If you don’t want to dip your toothbrush in the jar to get the paste on it, you can use a 1/4 teaspoon to scoop out just enough paste onto your toothbrush.

This paste also comes from a shop that’s dedicated to plastic-free and zero waste shipping, so you know you won’t end up with any materials you can’t reuse, recycle, or compost.

6. Best Natural Zero Waste Toothpaste

Here’s something that might come as a bit of a surprise to you: conventional toothpaste often contains extra ingredients that are completely unnecessary for your oral health. One such ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

SLS is what makes your toothpaste foam. It also interferes with the proteins in your taste bubs, which makes food taste weird right after you brush your teeth. Plus, some people can develop an allergic reaction to SLS that can give their tongue an unusual texture, make their mouth feel uncomfortable, and cause or irritate canker sores.

The thing is, SLS isn’t needed in toothpaste. That foaming action doesn’t actually do anything to help clean your teeth. It’s just a placebo that makes you think you’re getting a better clean. This is why you’ll often see natural toothpastes advertise that they’re free of SLS.

If you’re looking for the best zero waste natural toothpaste, choose Nelson Naturals. This is one of the original zero waste toothpastes. It comes in a glass jar with a metal lid. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and has no SLS, artificial flavors or colors, fluoride, parabens, glycerin, or fillers.

I tried the spearmint flavor and liked the fresh feeling it left behind. Other options include Nelson Naturals Citrus Spice, Nelson Naturals Cinnamon, Nelson Naturals Fennel, and Nelson Naturals Moringa. The company also makes a peppermint activated charcoal toothpaste for whitening.

An Important Note About Dogs and Xylitol

I believe that an eco-friendly world is also safe for the animals that live here. That’s why I feel it’s important to point out that while xylitol offers humans a variety of oral health benefits, it’s extremely dangerous to dogs if ingested.

If you choose one of these best zero waste toothpaste options or anything else that contains xylitol, please make sure you store them in a place where dogs can’t get to them. If you think your dog consumed xylitol, call your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center immediately.

Plus, to make sure your home is as safe for your pets as possible, don’t forget to learn about the best pet-friendly houseplants.

Best Zero Waste Toothpaste Options

Not only does zero waste toothpaste come in a variety of flavors and offer numerous health benefits, but it’s also better for the environment. Now that you know the best zero waste toothpaste options for your family, you can help everyone make the switch to the one they prefer.

More Outstanding Zero Waste Tips

Now that you know which zero waste toothpaste is right for you, are you ready for even more great zero waste tips? Then be sure to check out some of our other popular posts: