The Best Eco-Friendly Toothpaste In The UK
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Do you need to brush up on the best plastic-free and eco-friendly toothpaste in 2024 in the UK? You’re in luck! I’ve got you covered with my pick of the ten best brands.
Some brands have paid to be featured here – identifiable by the AD tag after the brand name. We only select brands that we genuinely believe are doing good things for people and the planet.
Looking for a more sustainable and eco-friendly toothpaste? Perhaps one that’s plastic-free, and packaged in a glass jar? Perhaps some eco-friendly toothpaste tablets? Or maybe you’d prefer toothpaste that comes in a recyclable metal tube? Or maybe even toothpaste that comes in a refillable tube?
You are in luck! The good news is that the eco-friendly toothpaste market has expanded massively in the last year or so. Now, in 2024, there’s an option for almost every sustainable dental care variable.
What’s Wrong With Conventional Toothpaste Tubes?
You might be wondering what exactly is wrong with standard toothpaste tubes. Well, toothpaste tubes and other types of squeezable tubes are difficult to recycle because they combine different materials.
Toothpaste tubes, in particular, often contain a thin layer of aluminium, sandwiched between various types of plastic. It’s too tricky and too costly for recycling centres to separate and process these layers, so instead the empty tubes get sent to landfill.
Terracycle does collect conventional toothpaste tubes for recycling. However, you do need to have a collection point near you. Depending on where you live, this may or may not be accessible to you, so you may prefer to bypass these tubes of toothpaste completely.
Ten of The Best Eco-Friendly Toothpaste Brands
The good news is that I’ve been doing some digging and found the best green toothpaste brands in the UK right now. These brands should be fully recyclable in most parts of the UK. However, do check with your local council on anything you are not sure about.
I’ve also specifically looked for brands that offer fluoride and fluoride-free eco-friendly toothpaste options, to cater to a range of dental needs. In my search, I’ve even found palm oil-free toothpaste brands and eco-friendly brands that cater to sensitive teeth. Let’s dive in, and brush up on my favourite toothpaste brands!
Ben and Anna
Ben and Anna – available from Ethical Superstore, from £8.95 – make a range of different flavoured eco-friendly toothpaste, catering for a range of differing dental needs.
You’ll find toothpaste with fluoride to toothpaste without fluoride. There’s even whitening toothpaste and toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. What’s more, each is packaged in a recyclable glass jar and cardboard box.
Their effective cruelty-free formulas are made from natural ingredients, such as sea buckthorn, chamomile, activated charcoal, cinnamon, and calcium for strong, shiny teeth and healthy gums. And even better, all of their toothpaste is free from nasties, such as phthalates, parabens, microplastics, SLS, and formaldehyde.
Ben and Anna also make a natural mouthwash (that’s not made from coconut oil) that is also packaged in a glass bottle. See my full guide to eco-friendly mouthwash for all of the details.
Happier
Are dental tablets not your thing? Then check out Happier toothpaste. This vegan-friendly and plastic-free toothpaste comes in an old-school aluminium tube.
What’s to love is that when you’re squeezed out the last drop, the tube can be recycled with your metal recycling for zero waste. It also looks incredibly stylish sitting on your bathroom shelf!
The lid can also be sent back to Happier Beauty, who will wash it, sterilise it and reuse it on future orders.
To help you squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste, you can buy a reusable “Squeeze Key” from Happier. Conveniently, this can also be used on all aluminium tubes, such as my favourite Weleda Skin Food, or even your tomato puree!
As well as being fully recyclable, Happier is also good for your teeth. Specially formulated for sensitive teeth, it contains papaya enzymes for gentle, natural whitening, vitamin E for gum health, and dentist-approved minerals, including fluoride and hydroxyapatite, to help strengthen enamel. And for that all-important fresh breath, Happier uses 4 different types of natural mint plants to get a fresh 100% natural mint flavour.
All the nasties have been left out, so it’s free from SLS, triclosan, parabens, petrochemicals, colours, artificial flavours, or artificial sweeteners. What’s more, it’s cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Happier is priced at £9.99, and can be bought on a repeat subscription at Bower Collective.
Take 20% off at Bower Collective by using the exclusive discount code MF20 at the checkout.
Parla
Parla’s eco-friendly toothpaste tablets – available at Bower Collective from £6.95 – were founded by three award-winning cosmetic dentists from London.
As dentists, they believe toothpaste should first and foremost protect people’s smiles but not harm people, animals, or the planet in the process.
Their very minty tablets are available in two different-sized glass jars – either as 62 tablets or 248 tablets. And when you need a refill, you can buy a 248-tablet refill that comes in a cardboard box for lower carbon shipping.
Not sure what size would suit you? 62 Tabs is a 1 month’s supply for 1 person brushing twice daily. Meanwhile, 248 Tabs is a 4-month supply for 1 person brushing twice daily.
Take 20% off at Bower Collective by using the exclusive discount code MF20 at the checkout.
Biom | AD
If you’re looking for fluoride-free toothpaste tablets then try NOBS toothpaste tablets from Biom. This US brand (also available in the UK at Mandi Mart) uses nano-hydroxyapatite – a remineralising agent – to protect your teeth over the long term. Biom says that this is the safest alternative to fluoride they’ve found.
Packed full of natural yet effective ingredients, the list of what Biom leaves out is longer than the 13 ingredients that make up its toothpaste tablets. So as well as being free from fluoride, you won’t find any parabens, sulphates, glycerin, charcoal or carrageenan.
What’s also to love is that the tablets come in a glass jar with a recyclable metal lid. This makes NOBS toothpaste tablets a great way to help you live a more plastic-free life.
Plus, if you are travelling then you don’t have to worry about carrying your toothpaste tablets in your hand luggage. As a solid product, the rules don’t apply – so you can have clean teeth and fresh breath wherever your travels take you.
DENTtabs
DENTtabs teeth cleaning tablets with fluoride are a great eco-friendly alternative to toothpaste. Available at &Keep for £5.75, these tablets are 100% plastic-free, with no preservatives.
These come in a fully home-compostable bag made from cornstarch and carry the official home composting certification. When the bag arrives in the post, simply rip it open and pop the toothpaste tablets into one of your own reused jars. Then pop the bag in your composter – no waste!
One bag is equivalent to 2 tubes of toothpaste, and kid’s versions are available too.
Use the code andkeep5 at the checkout to take 5% off your order.
Georganics
Georganics specialise in natural, sustainable, and ethical dental care. As such, they create plastic-free products that promote good oral health.
Made by hand in the UK, each formula includes locally sourced, organic natural ingredients that are kind to you, your teeth, and the planet.
From refillable jars of toothpaste tablets to tooth soap and toothpowder, their environmentally friendly teeth cleaning range is extensive. Meanwhile, their mouthwash tablets and plastic-free dental floss also promote good oral hygiene, not at the expense of the planet.
What’s more, their vegan-friendly products are free from fluoride, parabens, SLS, SLES, mineral oil, microbeads, phthalates, triclosan, palm oil, and synthetic fragrances.
Prices start from £6.90, at Ethical Superstore. Alternatively, shop directly from Georganics, and take 15% off your order by using the code AWIN15 at the checkout.
Brushd
Brushd – available from Friendly Turtle from £4.95 – makes a great range of plastic-free dental hygiene products, including toothpaste tablets, that come in fluoride or fluoride-free varieties. It also offers a range of mouthwash tablets and plastic-free dental floss.
When your toothpaste or mouthwash jar is empty, there’s no need to put it in the glass recycling. Instead, buy a refill that comes in a cardboard container for a smaller carbon footprint.
Brushd also makes bamboo interdental brushes. Although to be honest, I’m on the fence about bamboo interdental brushes. They’re made of mixed materials. This means they will have to be sent to landfill, where biodegradable materials do not break down. Bamboo isn’t native to Europe so it has to be shipped from abroad. This possibly gives it a bigger carbon footprint than a plastic interdental brush.
Overall, it may be a more expensive “eco” swap that may not make a discernible difference to the environment. It’s certainly something to think about. If you want to read more you can read about why plastic-free isn’t always better for the environment.
Truthpaste
Truthpaste – available from &Keep for £9.95 – is a palm oil-free toothpaste that’s also free from fluoride, SLS/SLES, triclosan, and glycerin.
It also doesn’t contain any foaming agents, bleaching agents, colourants, or artificial ingredients.
Instead, Truthpaste’s vegan-friendly and cruelty-free blend of oils freshens your breath, whilst a 27% xylitol blend helps to protect against decay.
This eco-friendly toothpaste comes in a glass jar with a metal lid, making it fully recyclable when you’re done.
Use the code andkeep5 at the checkout to take 5% off your order.
Truthtabs
Not to be confused with Truthpaste, Truthtabs are made by an entirely different company!
Simply pop one or two UK-made Truthtabs into your mouth, bite and brush. Truthtabs foam and clean just like toothpaste. Meanwhile, the fresh Wild Mint flavour leaves your teeth sparkling and your breath fresh.
These come in a cardboard box, which can be decanted into your own glass jar, for lower-carbon shipping.
Priced at £4.50 for a one-month supply, these are available from Bower Collective.
Take 20% off at Bower Collective by using the exclusive discount code MF20 at the checkout.
Weleda
Ethical beauty stalwarts Weleda offers this plant-based formulation in a metal tube – available from Big Green Smile for £5.50.
Particularly good for those with delicate gums, the gel formulation gently cares for your teeth and gums. Meanwhile, peppermint and spearmint oils help to keep your breath fresh.
Weleda’s toothpaste is vegan-friendly and has not been tested on animals. What’s more, it’s free from sugar, artificial sweeteners, surfactants, synthetic preservatives, flavours, colourants, and raw materials derived from mineral oils. Do note that Weleda’s toothpaste is only available in a fluoride-free option.
What If I Can’t Afford These Eco-Friendly Toothpaste Brands?
All of these eco-friendly toothpaste brands do come at a much higher price point than your average £1 tube of toothpaste.
If they’re out of reach, then you can try to buy toothpaste that comes in a pump, rather than a tube, if this is accessible to you. Recycle Now says that pump-action toothpaste tubes are easier to recycle.
Pump tubes can be placed in your recycling bin if your local authority also collects plastic pots, tubs, and trays, so do make for a more affordable eco-friendly swap.
How Can We As Consumers Bring About Change?
Something that is important for us all to do, whether we can afford to buy these eco alternatives or not, is to write to toothpaste manufacturers via email or social media, to ask them to switch to recyclable packaging.
In terms of accessibility, I don’t know if toothpaste tubes or pumps are more accessible to people with mobility problems. Do see the plastic straw ban conversation if you are new to these issues. I would therefore be loath to suggest that all manufacturers switch to toothpaste pumps without fully understanding any potential impacts.
Colgate has, however, introduced a fully recyclable toothpaste tube. This shows the technology and materials are there. More manufacturers should therefore be encouraged to adopt this packaging.
Frustratingly, Colgate hasn’t introduced this recyclable tube across their whole range, and the price point is much higher for this toothpaste. I smell greenwashing.
Having one recyclable product amongst a sea of non-recyclable products does not make for an eco-friendly toothpaste brand. Colgate should be encouraged to roll this packaging out across their whole range. In the absence of strong Governmental actions on plastic packaging, they will only do this with consumer pressure from us.
Enjoyed this post? Do also check out my posts on the best fluoride-free toothpaste and how to reduce plastic in the bathroom.
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