Our mission at Zero Wasted is to help you make more informed decisions when trying to buy more consciously - we do all the research so you don't have to. We sometimes use affiliate links on our site. We only recommend products we love, that we think you will too.
An article from the British Dental Journal published in 2021, says if all of the UK's yearly toothpaste tubes were laid out end-to-end it would stretch 75,000 km. The equivalent of twice around the world - and that's just the UK's lot! Here's why else we need to switch:
Toothpaste tubes are usually made of different types of plastics, and many brands contain a metal layer inside the tube, so they're not at all easy to recycle.
It takes 500 years for a toothpaste tube to fully biodegrade in landfill, but there are now great plastic-free toothpaste alternatives such as toothpaste tablets.
You may be losing up to 10% of the toothpaste even when you think the tube is empty. If you switch to toothpaste tablets or paste jars you'll lose zero.
There are so many benefits of using toothpaste tablets or a refillable toothpaste as a zero waste alternative to traditional plastic tubes. Firstly, toothpaste tablets are compressed powder (i.e without water), which massively reduces CO2 emissions in transportation. They are also the perfect travel companion being super lightweight and liquid-free. Refills of tablets or toothpaste also tend to come in bulk lasting many months, meaning less trips to the store or deliveries. Here are some common questions about zero waste toothpastes and tablets:
They are a compressed powder form of toothpaste. Imagine taking the paste, removing the water and then pressing this into a tablet format and you get a 'toothpaste tab'.
Some do, some don't, but it's widely recommended you use toothpaste with fluoride as using one without means that you do not get the protective remineralisation effect. It also helps to prevent cavities and dental decay.
Ideally, yes. However, there is wide debate on the use of palm oil, including the idea that boycotting palm oil altogether could actually worsen the situation. You can read more about it here.
It's true, they are more expensive than your average tube of toothpaste. So if you're looking for something accessible and mainstream opt for a fully recyclable toothpaste tube (Colgate created a plan in 2019 for all their toothpaste tubes to be recyclable by the end of 2025). Look for the HDPE #2 plastic logo and take a quick scroll through their Recyclable Toothpaste Tube FAQs here.
There are some toothpaste tablets created with kids in mind, such as Denttabs Strawberry Toothpaste Tablets suitable for ages 3+. Denttabs founder also says: "To ensure that children do not swallow the toothpaste tabs, we recommend that you place the tablet on the wet toothbrush before brushing and let it soak for about 30 seconds. Once the tablet has dissolved, the teeth can be brushed." Generally toothpaste tablets can be used ages 7+ but we've made a note on what each individual brand says below.
Yes! Generally speaking, fluoride-based toothpaste is suitable for sensitive teeth as the mineral strengthens tooth enamel and provides protection. However, if you're particularly prone, you might want to opt for sensitivity-fighting potassium citrate, and wonder ingredient hydroxyapatite which remineralises and strengthens enamel, forming a barrier over the open pores.
🪥
Cost per month is per person brushing twice a day
Life Supplies Refillable Toothpaste
£18 for 3 month refill subscription
p&p £3.50 / Free £25+
The UK’s first refillable toothpaste developed with dental experts and clinically proven to fight cavities. With an all-natural mint flavour and teeth-whitening papaya enzymes for fresh breath and stain removing power. Get a lifetime pump bottle and refill it forever with 100% compostable pouches. There is a lock mechanism on the pump, so it's travel friendly too!
We've partnered with Life Supplies so you can get a free sample pack worth £14.00 (just pay shipping) by using our exclusive code below.
🌱 Compostable refill pouches made from sugar cane waste.
Glycerin, Aqua, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Sacrosinate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Covamidopropyl Bentane, Menthol, Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Saccharin, Papain, Sodium Chloride, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Limonene
🪥 £6 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🔄 Refillable |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
🧒 Ages 7+ | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
NoWa (Nothing Wasted) have developed their original formula with industry expert dentists and scientists. Their new formula includes the star ingredient Hydroxyapatite which remineralises, strengthens and rebuilds your tooth's enamel, fights sensitivity and adds high gloss whitening finish. They pledge to donate 50% of annual profits to charities such as ViVA, Rays of Sunshine and Keep Britain Tidy and they plant a tree for every order!
🌱 Home compostable (TUV certified) pouches made from Natureflex
🔄 Reusable aluminium tin
Sorbitol, Calcium Carbonate, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Bicarbonate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Yeast, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Acacia Senegal Gum Extract, Magnesium Stearate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene
🪥 £3.12 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 Fluoride or fluoride free |
🌳 Tree for every order | 💸 50% profits donated |
🧒 Not suitable for children | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
PÄRLA Pro Toothpaste Tablets
£32 for 248 tabs on subscription
Free shipping
PARLA charge £32 every 4 months, which equates to £8 / month, but you actually get just over 4 months worth of tablets, so it works out to be £7.75 / month in-keeping with the calculation of the rest of this guide.
Designed by a team of professional dentists. The PRO version is a powerhouse of a toothpaste tablet! It includes hydroxyapatite, the key ingredient for adding a high-gloss, whitening shine and sensitivity-fighting potassium citrate. It even contains at least 50% of your RDA (used twice a day) of vitamin E and B12, vital for healthy mind, immune system and gums. They're also a Certified Ⓑ Corp!
♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass jar with aluminium lid
🌱♻️ Refills come in home compostable starch bags and recycled carboard
Hydroxyapatite, Potassium Citrate, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Sorbitol, Calcium carbonate, Kaolin, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Hydrated silica, Acacia gum, Yeast extract, Sodium monofluorophosphate (1450ppm), Magnesium stearate, Mentha arvensis leaf oil, Menthol, Stevioside, Mentha piperita oil
🪥 £7.75 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
🧒 Ages 7+ | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
Truthtabs Toothpaste Tablets
£9 for 186 tabs on subscription
p&p £2.95 or £1.95 for subscribers
Truthtabs are made by Truthbrush, a Certified Ⓑ Corp based in Devon. Their wild mint flavoured toothpaste tablets come in 1 (62 tabs) or 3 month (186 tabs) supply. The packaging also gets top marks for being fully recyclable and certified home compostable.
♻️ Recyclable card pillow box (FSC certified) with vegetable-based ink
🌱 Home compostable NatureFlex inner bag (made from cellulose from wood pulp derived from responsibly managed plantations)
Sorbitol, Calcium Carbonate, Kaolin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Yeast, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Acacia Senegal Gum Extract, Magnesium Stearate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Stevioside, Mentha Piperita Oil
🪥 £2.90/ month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
Ⓑ Corp Certified | 🏆 Award-winning |
🧒 Not suitable for children | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
PÄRLA Original Toothpaste Tabs
£20 for 248 tabs on subscription
Free shipping
PARLA charge £20 every 4 months, which equates to £5 / month, but you actually get just over 4 months worth of tablets, so it works out to be £4.84 / month in-keeping with the calculation of the rest of this guide.
PARLA are Certified Ⓑ Corp making toothpaste designed by a team of professional dentists. Their naturally whitening Original Toothpaste Tabs can be bought in 1 or 4 months supply. They also offer a PRO version that includes hydroxyapatite, the key ingredient for adding a high-gloss, whitening shine. Children can use the tablets from ages 7+.
♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass jar with aluminium lid
🌱♻️ Refills come in home compostable starch bags and recycled carboard
Sorbitol, Calcium carbonate, Kaolin, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Hydrated silica, Acacia gum, Yeast extract, Sodium monofluorophosphate (1450ppm), Magnesium stearate, Mentha arvensis leaf oil, Menthol, Stevioside, Mentha piperita oil
🪥 £4.84 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
🧒 Ages 7+ | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
Available in fluoride or fluoride-free options and packaged in home compostable pouches, ecoLiving are a UK carbon neutral brand who plant trees through Eden Reforestation Projects and are a member of 1% for the planet.
🌱 Plant-based certified home compostable bag made from recycled paper with inner PLA lining (resealable and made in the UK)
Sorbitol, Calcium Carbonte, Sodium Bicarbonate, Kaolin, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Menthol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Silica, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf Extract
🪥 £2.76 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
💸 1% for the planet | 🌍 Carbon neutral |
🧒 Not suitable for children | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
Denttabs are a Berlin based company. They offer fluoride toothpaste tablets in 2 flavours: Mint and Kid's Strawberry which has a reduced fluoride of 500ppm. They are also proven to be effective with 13 clinical studies and another 6 laboratory tests having been conducted in the last 20 years. Their mint tablets are also suitable for kids 6+.
🏭 Industrially compostable sachet (45% paper and 55% inner biofilm made from PLA from cornstarch and PBAT polymer) this needs to be cut up into your food waste bin to ensure it degrades under the correct conditions. They are currently working towards home compostable packaging.
Microcrystalline Cellulose (from FSC sources), Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Magnesium Stearate, Natural Flavour, Xanthan Gum, Stevia, Citric Acid, Sodium Fluoride, Eugenol
🪥 £2.76 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | ✖️ Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 1450ppm fluoride |
🌍 Climate neutral | 🇵🇱 Made in Poland |
🧒 Ages 3+ (strawberry) |
They're soon to release a fluoride toothpaste (recommended), but if you're looking for a toothpaste using organic ingredients without fluoride these are it. Tablets come in 120 (2 month) or 480 (8 month) jars, the latter being better value, and they come in a range of flavours including orange which were created with kids in mind.
🌱 Compostable paper label
♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass bottle with aluminium lid
♻️ Recyclable cardboard box
Sodium Bicarbonate^, Tartaric Acid^, Citric Acid^, Calcium Powder^, Kaolin Clay^, Cream of Tartar^, Peppermint Oil*^, Limonene*^.Ingredients: *Organic, ^Natural. Of total: 100% Natural.
🪥 £2.48 / month | 🐰 Cruelty free |
---|---|
🌱 Vegan | 🥤 Plastic free |
🌿 Natural flavouring | 🦷 Fluoride free |
Ⓑ Corp Certified | 💸 1% for the planet |
🧒 Ages 5+ | 🇬🇧 Made in UK |
That's our list of the best zero waste toothpaste you can buy in the UK. If you know of a great brand you think we should feature, drop us a message.
Newsletter Signup
Zero Wasted | Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure | 🌊 Website by Ethos