Half the job of being a sustainable consumer is learning how to make the better choice and understanding how our shopping choices make an impact. Take toothpaste for instance. While it’s completely necessary to protect and care for our pearly whites, the waste that we generate from it isn’t. Some studies suggest that Americans throw away 423 million tubes of toothpaste yearly. Those tubes are a type of plastic that is estimated to take around 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Over the years toothpaste tubes add to a lot of plastic waste that accumulates in landfills. So, what’s the alternative?
Some popular toothpaste companies have begun using recyclable toothpaste tubes. But, this requires a lot of extra steps on the consumer’s part to ensure that empty tubes will be accepted by recycling facilities. Other brands offer sustainable toothpaste that is packaged in reusable containers with refills shipped in recyclable paper mailers. But, there is also the issue of CO2 emissions from shipping. So, as a conscious consumer what is the best environmentally friendly choice that we can make?
The answer comes down to customer preference. How do you feel that you can make the best positive impact? If you’re a person who will follow the steps to ensure that your toothpaste tubes will be recycled, then shopping at your local pharmacy might be the best choice for you. But, if you prefer shopping refillable brands to cut back on plastic waste, then by all means please do!
Sustainability is about all of us making conscious lifestyle changes to minimize pollution, water waste, CO2 emissions and to protect our environment and the people who live on this planet. Even something as seemingly mundane as toothpaste can have a BIG impact when it comes to CO2 emissions and plastic pollution.
We’ve rounded up a few sustainable toothpaste and other oral products for you to shop that will help you make a positive impact.
Bite Toothpaste Bits
Bite is an oral care brand that focuses on refillable products and plastic-free packaging. Items like their sustainable toothpaste bits are shipped to customers’ homes in a glass container with a aluminium lid. (You can read more about sustainable packaging materials here). Then, each month refills are shipped in a compostable mailer made from recycled newspaper.
Environmental Impact: This plastic-free, zero waste brand focuses on materials like aluminium and glass which are infinitely recyclable and refillable. By encouraging refilling items, waste is eliminated. All mailers for refills are made from post-consumer newspaper and are compostable. To combat the negative environmental impact from shipping, the brand never offers rush 2-day shipping and instead works with local postal routes to ensure that the most sustainable shipping option is used.
Davids Peppermint Toothpaste
Kudos to this minimalist and vegan brand for their cool packaging solutions. If you’re a fan of traditional toothpaste, but want it to be more sustainable, this brand has a few cool specs like a metal key roller to ensure that you can get the very last drop and recyclable packaging.
Environmental Impact: As another plastic-free brand, Davids metal tube is 100% recyclable. Most municipalities will take aluminum, meaning you can drop it into your blue recycling bin. Although, the caps are not, and should be taken to Terra Cycle or another recycling program within your area. When it comes to its sustainable toothpaste formulas, ingredients are sourced locally to reduce their CO2 footprint and sales contribute to donations to organizations like the Environmental Working Group.
Quip Copper Metal Electric Toothbrush
How can you have sustainable toothpaste without an electric toothbrush? Quip toothbrushes are designed by dentists to be ideal for cleaning teeth and with sustainable materials to avoid plastic waste.
Environmental Impact: While Quip comes across as an environmentally aware brand, they don’t advertise much information about their sustainable choices. What is known is that they use 100% recyclable plastic when they do use the material in items like their toothpaste tubes. Their toothbrushes are a combination of metal and plastic. And, their packaging is paper made from recycled materials and is recyclable.
Public Goods Silk Dental Floss
This new company adds a dash of fun and punchy colors to floss. Their floss is infused with natural coconut to sooth gums and cleanse. All their products are vegan and the packaging is refillable and compostable.
Environmental Impact: Customers are encouraged to reuse the spools of floss. They are shipped in a 100% recycled paper boxes and can be refilled through a subscription that further cuts back on single-use waste and plastic pollution.
Public Goods Peppermint Oil
Did you know that you can add a few drops of peppermint oil to water for a natural mouthwash? This one from Public Goods is 100% organic and sourced from a single origin for its purity and quality. Plus, with minimalist packaging, this oil is from a brand that is focused on making a positive environmental impact.
Environmental Impact: Public Goods is focused on clean simple products for your house and home. And, a lot of their products tend to be natural and minimally packaged. That means a lot of refillable or reusable items and plastic-free packaging that instead focuses on materials like recycled paper, glass and aluminium.
Many of the toughest problems we face are the result of the products we choose to consume. That’s why we’re committed to making healthier, more informed choices easy and accessible to all.