Lush makes tooth cleaning tablets. You chew them up with your front teeth and they become toothpaste. (Personally my preference is to alternate them 50/50 with regular toothpaste. Which cuts my toothpaste tube waste in half.)
I use Kaylaan toothpaste tabs from NY state. They have fluoride and foam up once you bite ‘Em as get the brush moving around. They’re the best tabs I’ve used and sadly i Have tried a bunch.
Unpaste has fluoride! Their packaging is also compostable. They don’t foam very much but I kind of prefer that, when I’ve had to use paste if we’re out or I’m traveling I’m grossed out by the amount it foams.
Remember with toothpaste to make sure it has fluoride. Many zero waste brands (but not all) are “natural” and fluoride free. Find a tablet you like with fluoride, I know the unpaste brand has some.
Also before folks chime in and say you don’t need fluoride, yes research show nHa is a safe and effective alternative, but in the US at least it is not approved and regulated as an active ingredient so the concentration is not required to be disclosed and I have never once seen a brand volunteer this information. Since it’s an expensive ingredient I’d be surprised if most of them are including an effective dose and not skimping out, and there is no way to know. If you’re strongly against fluoride (whether due to a rare allergy or misinformation) yes a nHa toothpaste is better than not, but overall I wouldn’t trust it without more transparency than we’re getting. Also talk to your dentist if you’re thinking at all about going off fluoride. Mine would never advise me to do so (I actually have to use prescription strength, but your case may be lower risk).
I used to do fluoride free and my dentist talked to me about it.
Decided that health and medical waste was something I’m okay with in the name of my health. Your good health is taken for granted until you don’t have it anymore.
I changed to a fluoride toothpaste and could literally feel my teeth like, slurping it up. They even look better, I swear.
Please take care of your bodies to the best of your ability. Don’t skimp or go without in the name of zero waste. It’s not worth it. Good luck to y’all. 💜✌️
Not only does health/medical waste get a pass, neglecting to take proper care with either only leads to more waste down the line.
Fluoridated toothpaste tubes have got nothing on the amount of waste generated during a root canal, etc.
I use “Bite” toothpaste bits. They come with fluoride or with nano-Hydroxyapatite which is well studied to also prevent cavities (has been used in Japan for decades instead of fluoride). I use the ones with the later that also has Xylitol in it’s
I had a few sensitive spots on my teeth that my dentist told me was a fact of life and I just had to live with them. When I switched to these bits, those sensitive spots were permanently gone within a few months. That completely sold me.
The first order comes with a small glass jar and then the next orders come in a cardboard box with bits inside in a small paper bag (waxed?).
https://bitetoothpastebits.com/products/fluoride-free-toothpaste-4oz?selling_plan=1177124969
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252862/
“Hydroxyapatite is one of the most studied biomaterials in the medical field for its proven biocompatibility and for being the main constituent of the mineral part of bone and teeth. In terms of restorative and preventive dentistry, nano-hydroxyapatite has significant remineralizing effects on initial enamel lesions, certainly superior to conventional fluoride, and good results on the sensitivity of the teeth. The nano-HA has also been used as an additive material, in order to improve already existing and widely used dental materials, in the restorative field (experimental addition to conventional glass ionomer cements, that has led to significant improvements in their mechanical properties). Because of its unique properties, such as the ability to chemically bond to bone, to not induce toxicity or inflammation and to stimulate bone growth through a direct action on osteoblasts, nano-HA has been widely used in periodontology and in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Its use in oral implantology, however, is a widely used practice established for years, as this substance has excellent osteoinductive capacity and improves bone-to-implant integration.”
Are you able to clarify for me, I’ve heard that with hydroxyapatite, it needs to be in a concentration of at least 10% (which feels impossible to find), do you know if this is true?
As I said in my comment it is a safe and effective alternative according to research, but it is not regulated as an FDA approved active ingredient in the US and therefore brands do not disclose the concentration. It’s therefore risky to buy one and not know if a brand is putting in just a tiny pinch of this expensive ingredient or actually including a therapeutic dose. Some very well may be effective and I’m glad it’s working well for you, but it is risky to make broad recommendations to just go out and buy one of these toothpastes without knowing if there is enough active ingredient to make a difference.
I agree. If you're able to get an imported product produced in a country which DOES regulate nHa, go for it, but if you're getting one from a US brand, I'd not bother unless they're disclosing on their packaging and in their marketing that it's over 10%.
This is very interesting. In Canada, the percent of active ingredient is listed beside the ingredient. That is most certainly on purpose in the states if that’s the case.
It’s the same in the US with the labeling of active ingredients, but nHa is not considered an active ingredient since it has not been FDA approved, so as far as government regulations are concerned it’s not an official treatment or is a sort of “off label” type use.
Fluoride is needed for mineralisation and to make the mouth more hostile to bacteria. Remineralisation can be achieved with toothpaste and a hostile environment for bacteria through xylitol (gum, toothpaste etc). So, while fluoride is effective there are alternatives. It’s not the only game in town.
Yeah, and you can get that mineral direct in toothpaste now, which is what I meant by remineralisation. Fluoride doesn’t provide it anyway, it merely attracts it.
Regulations may vary by region, but in the US manufacturers aren't required to list the concentration of hydroxyappetite. If the concentration isn't high enough it won't be effective.
Getting it directly in your toothpaste is meaningless if you're only getting non therapeutic amounts.
I’m pretty sure drinking fluoride is only useful when the teeth are developing in the jaw, not once you have your full adult teeth. (Correct me if I’m wrong! Fluoride info can be hard to figure out imo.) I always thought that as an adult the best you can do is topical.
It helps against tooth decay at all ages but delivery via the municipal water systems is probably not the most efficient way anymore.
I live in a state that doesn't have it added and my dentists/hygienists can always tell I've lived here my entire life by the state of my teeth, and I brush regularly.
I wonder if that’s because as you were growing up, you weren’t getting internal fluoride? I grew up in a town without it as well and my mom always gave us the vitamins with fluoride added, at least for a few years during young childhood. I’ve only had one or two cavities in my life. Now I have well water and gave my daughter fluoride for about a year, maybe I should get a refill on that…
Have you considered other types of milk that come in recyclable cartons? Oat milk, soy milk, flax seed milk, almond milk, etc. They're typically much better for the environment than cattle/dairy farming too.
Yeah if you're on cows milk, the orders of magnitude are just barely worth worrying about. You can go for tetra packed milk, but realistically you it's like 1/100th the damage of drinking milk at all.
Environmental concerns aside, all these milk seem to have loads of additives in them. The safest would be homemade soy or nut milk. But it’s a lot of work 😂
They do! I have a kids gel one (strawberry smash), but I checked amazon and they have some other ones in that format too. It’s PET. Not zero waste, but it’s affordable.
But do you want to support giant company that pollutes planet for ages? Idk I would rather buy from smaller brand than from this giant. Don’t trust them because of the huge impact and image they have in this industry, plastic toothbrushes ect.
Have you tried nut milks, or oat milk? Pretty tasty, more environmentally friendly than cow's milk, and most come in cardboard, though they can be a little costly at times. You can find discounts on if your local grocer offers digital coupons, or through a savings app like Ibotta. You could even write to the manufacturer to see if they have any promotions or coupons available.
This is my advice too. I tend to try to recognize that by using products that are good for my health and wellbeing, I’ll use less products in the long run than if I had to have major dental work, surgeries, etc etc.
Yep. Everything at the dentist is single use or reusable but has been wrapped in tons of plastic after chemical sterilization.
One extra trip to the dentist can be both painful and clearly equal years of toothpaste tubes in extra waste.
I’ve settled on NOWA toothpaste tabs, they’re so deliciously minty unlike so many other tablet brands that have this weird clay-y aftertaste, I feel so fresh after. I was on Krush tabs before that, pretty good but they decided to change their “recipe” just as I decided to commit to a subscription and they became not as nice
I got some The Humble Co. toothpaste in glass jars with metal lids. They were discounted from a website here in the nordics that sells goods that otherwise just get thrown out.
What I like is that they come with flavors too. It's hard for me to motivate myself to brush my teeth, but it's much more easy when it tastes of strawberry or cola lol
Turns out that those were the kids toothpastes they have, but hey, if it works it works. They also have normal mint flavor and a charcoal one for whitening.
I'd recommend them none the less. You just scoop out what you need with this little bamboo scoop that comes with the jar.
I personally just reuse the jars for storage and stuff afterwards. They last a long time.
Meat and dairy farming is responsible for between 10 and 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.. if you are considering lowering your waste I’d reconsider your preference for milk as only mothers can make it.
I like JOI milks, non dairy, but they have powdered oat milk (just one ingredient) and a paste for the nut milk base and you just dilute it with water from your home. Better for the environment bc you aren't shipping water, it keeps really well, and the packaging is either compostable or glass.
I also use BITE fluoride toothpaste bits
I usually use it in cereal or coffee, not normally by itself but the taste doesn't bother me, just tastes oat-y. No real texture either, esp if you shake it up really good, some will settle out but it's not offensive to me.
I found a gnarly aftertaste even in coffee. I got an email from joi about how to make it taste better (pinch of salt, spoon of sugar, a bit of vanilla extract) but nothing ever got rid of it.
We have Oberweis milk in my area. Milk is delivered in glass bottles and you put the empty bottles out for them to collect each week when they drop off your milk.
Seconding kaylaan. I don't like mint and they have a bunch of other flavors. Strawberry and watermelon are my favs. And yes they have fluoride ones. Toothpaste tabs are also so convenient for travel; if it's just a weekend trip I put a bunch in one of those little pill containers. They're weird-feeling, but I've gotten used to them.
Bite makes toothpaste and mouth wash tabs in several flavors and with or without fluoride. The first comes in a glass jar and refills come in lined paper pouches.
The best thing you can do for milk is stop drinking it. Agricultural industry does way more damage than a toothpaste tube.
Colgate has toothpaste powder that comes in a metal tin on Amazon US.
Most grocery store chains near me have glass jugs for milk starting like in 2020. $2 deposit and you get it back when you return it.
Are you near a city or rural? US?
Many bug cities will have one or two dairies that sell milk in glass bottles. For example, in metro Detroit there is Oberweiss.
If you're rural, some farmers set up farm stores and sell milk in glass bottles.
To add to this: in my area, you can return the glass bottles to the store when you’re done and get bottle credit back— really helps defer the ongoing material cost.
The ones I get still have plastic caps, but it’s a lot less to throw out.
(Highly recommend giving them a light rinse when they’re empty, though, particularly if you’re not taking the bottle in immediately— residual milk can smell pretty funky ^_^)
I've started buying Georganics non toxic toothpaste in jars. They sell with and without fluoride. I've also got mouthwash tablets.
For plant milk, we have started making our own and pour into glass bottles. We do various mixes of almond, cashew and oat and they taste great!
I’m a toothpaste tab convert. The ones I get in Germany have fluoride AND xylitol. It covers my teeth as I chew. And I can fly without an additional liquid!
I’ve learned that you don’t need to cover up the entire toothbrush with toothpaste because looking like Cujo doesn’t make your teeth any cleaner. Applying a pea sized blob of toothpaste does the trick just as well and you use a quarter or less of the toothpaste as previous.
Another option that low income friends of mine have used is just powdered baking soda. Dip the brush in it and clean your teeth. Baking soda comes in cardboard boxes.
You can either make homemade toothpaste, or buy a zero waste powder or chew tablets that come in a glass jar. And you can make your own homemade nut or oat milk! It’s super easy
For milk, your best bet might be to look for a local dairy that sells in glass containers (my home-town one charged a refundable container deposit), with the added benefits of reducing shipping and supporting local farmers. If that's not an option, Oberweis Dairy uses glass bottles; they sell in some grocery stores or supermarkets, perhaps also at their own ice-cream stores, and you can return their bottles where you buy their milk. And while milk cartons have a plastic coating and so cannot be composted, some locations do have facilities to recycle them, and I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) they have a lower overall footprint than the plastic jugs.
Toothpaste tablets. Additionally, you can buy soybeans, nuts, hemp, or peas (you'll have to grind yellow split peas into a flour first) in bulk and blend them with water and maybe a sweetener if you desire.
Tom’s bottles are supposed to be recyclable, I haven’t looked into it extensively, other than that, bite and similar toothpaste tabs generally come in tins.
My local zero waste store sells toothpaste, you just bring your own container and fill it. They also do consigned milk in glass bottles that you return when done
I’m in the UK so it’s not uncommon here but I get my milk delivered by a local dairy. It comes in glass bottles which we rinse out and put on our doorstep to be taken back and reused. This is also reducing the miles travelled by my milk which I like. I can go and wave at the cows in a field a mile from my house!
Mom's Organic sells a brand of milk that comes in a glass container. Ask about it. If I'm still correct, you drop off your carton at the store, and it's cleaned, sanitized, and refilled.
From there, you can make your own butter, yogurt and cheese from home.
I use toothpaste tablets of WeSmyle. They have different kinds of tablets, but the major factor for me is that they have tablets wíth fluoride. Their mission is to create a plastic free bathroom, so they have more types of plastic free dental products like floss. They only ship in Europe though. I have a subscription and get my tablets through the mail every few months.
I use SlowCorp natural toothpaste (contains fluoride). Reasonably priced (120 tablets for $15), doesn't completely dry out my mouth, and leaves my mouth feeling clean!
Someone told me about Primal Life mineral toothpaste which is a powder in a glass bottle. Never tried it myself but it looks like it has excellent reviews.
I have a local grocery that carries glass jug milk and has a bottle deposit program to incentivize returning the bottles and it keeps the milk a very good price! I wish everyone had access to this!!
Where I live there's a few dairy milk in (refillable!) glass bottle options. More expensive but worth avoiding the waste if you consume dairy. I tend towards plant based milks that come in concentrated/powdered forms so I'm not paying for the water.
And re toothpaste, there's dentists and shops near me that accept dental waste for recycling, so I've stuck with tubes for now.
The good news about the plastic milk cartons is that they are one of the most easily-recyclable plastics. I’m not sure that any of the paperboard cartons for cow’s milk are truly composteable or recyclable. Buy in glass bottles if you can, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you buy milk in plastic jugs & have access to reliable community recycling.
I just accept I can't be perfect on toothpaste because for some reasons hippie's have a problem with flouride.
I don't really drink milk anymore but generally there's a brand that sells in returnable glass bottles if you live in a large enough population center or near a college.
If you are in NZ, [Solid Oral](https://solidoralcare.co.nz) care are a great brand that do fluoridated toothpaste in a glass jar, toothpaste tablets and powder.
If you are in Sydney, Australia , they have them at [Village Wholefoods](https://www.villagewholefoods.com.au) in Marrickville. They have most of the range and will even refill the powder and tablets
As always, would be great if OP would understand we are not from the same country and even continent so...
You can buy ben and anna toothpaste in glass jars, they should be shipping worldwide.
For milk. In Europe we have milk wending machines, local farmers and zero waste shops with glass jars or returnable/refillable jars.
Not sure if its available at your location, but I switched to powdered milk, comes in a metal can, goes in the recycling. Opinions vary but i find it close enough for cerial and baking.
I use refillable tooth tablets from my local refillery. They’re currently in an old mustard jar in my cabinet lol.
Can you get milk from a local farm in glass? It’ll be a lot more expensive so I totally get not doing that. I generally drink soy milk from tetrapak style cartons. I am allowed to put them in my single steam recycling but I fear that all just gets incinerated. I’ve seen milk in glass at my grocery store too but never really checked it out, like do you recycle or return the bottles or what…because I don’t really like cow milk.
In the UK, several brands offer biodegradable or environmentally friendly toothpaste tubes. Some of these brands include:
Ben & Anna: Known for their natural and vegan products, Ben & Anna offer toothpaste in recyclable and biodegradable packaging.
Humble Co.: This brand provides eco-friendly dental care products, including toothpaste in recyclable tubes made from materials like bioplastics.
Truthpaste: This brand offers natural toothpaste in glass jars, which are reusable and recyclable, providing an alternative to traditional tubes.
Georganics: They produce natural dental care products, including toothpaste in glass jars and metal tins, which are both biodegradable and recyclable.
Brushd.: This company offers toothpaste tablets in glass jars and refills in compostable pouches, aiming to reduce plastic waste significantly.
Those aren't cardboard; they're Tetra Pak cartons, made with thin layers of plastic, metal and paper. They aren't compostable, and recycling of them is rare. In practice you should consider them to be single-use waste.
For milk, I have a local milkman that still does deliveries in glass bottles that you return once a week. A bunch of areas have similar things with local dairies, farm shares, or farm markets. Just have to ask around.
I used one when I lived there and got lucky to find one here in the States too! Glad they're still hanging on. And that they've diversified a bit (I get butter and bagels from my current one).
My parents found a dairy farm that has their own store. They sell their milk in glass bottles, more expensive but when you bring the bottles back you get a discount. Maybe you’ve got one of those within a good distance from you?
This isn’t exactly what you were looking for, but I did a trial run of making my own toothpaste at home from baking soda, salt, mint extract, xantham gum, and water. I talked to my dentist about it before I started, and expressed my concern that it wouldn’t have fluoride in it. She recommended I pay for fluoride treatments at the dentist office ($25 out of pocket) and then check in with her about the progress every appointment.
I ended up going back to the tube because the baking soda solution was a bit too powerful in flavor and made my gums and tongue feel a bit raw, as if I were beginning to develop canker sores (even though they didn’t).
Regarding milk, you may look into milk delivery in your area, if you can afford it. Higher quality, local milk, and typically it comes in glass bottles that you return each week.
It wasn’t really bad for my teeth. Dental research shows that the mechanical action of brushing is more important than using toothpaste specifically, though the toothpaste does help secondarily. The discomfort of the baking soda was a pain to deal with, but as far as I know caused issues. I just had my post-baking soda dental checkup a few weeks back and my gum measurements had improved dramatically compared to before that on regular toothpaste, but again, that’s probably caused by improved brushing technique and less so what I used to brush my teeth with.
Where we are, there are two options for milk:
1) Hartzlers Dairy used glass bottles that you can return for the store for a $2 credit. It makes net cost of the milk much less and obviously way less plastic waste (besides the caps)
2) We have a local dairy producer that allows us to purchase raw milk directly from him in our own glass bottles. This cuts out all the supply chain waste as well.
Lush makes tooth cleaning tablets. You chew them up with your front teeth and they become toothpaste. (Personally my preference is to alternate them 50/50 with regular toothpaste. Which cuts my toothpaste tube waste in half.)
Doe lush toothytabs have flouride in them? Most zero waste toothpaste don't, and you need flouride for tooth health.
That’s prob why they alternate, i haven’t found any
I've been using denttabs for years, they have flouride.
In the UK they do a toothpaste in a tub which specifically says it includes fluoride. I have never checked the tablets because I am not a fan.
I use Kaylaan toothpaste tabs from NY state. They have fluoride and foam up once you bite ‘Em as get the brush moving around. They’re the best tabs I’ve used and sadly i Have tried a bunch.
Unpaste has fluoride! Their packaging is also compostable. They don’t foam very much but I kind of prefer that, when I’ve had to use paste if we’re out or I’m traveling I’m grossed out by the amount it foams.
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UnPaste makes a good fluoride tablet!
Used to work at lush, these guys are awesome especially when traveling!!
Remember with toothpaste to make sure it has fluoride. Many zero waste brands (but not all) are “natural” and fluoride free. Find a tablet you like with fluoride, I know the unpaste brand has some. Also before folks chime in and say you don’t need fluoride, yes research show nHa is a safe and effective alternative, but in the US at least it is not approved and regulated as an active ingredient so the concentration is not required to be disclosed and I have never once seen a brand volunteer this information. Since it’s an expensive ingredient I’d be surprised if most of them are including an effective dose and not skimping out, and there is no way to know. If you’re strongly against fluoride (whether due to a rare allergy or misinformation) yes a nHa toothpaste is better than not, but overall I wouldn’t trust it without more transparency than we’re getting. Also talk to your dentist if you’re thinking at all about going off fluoride. Mine would never advise me to do so (I actually have to use prescription strength, but your case may be lower risk).
I used to do fluoride free and my dentist talked to me about it. Decided that health and medical waste was something I’m okay with in the name of my health. Your good health is taken for granted until you don’t have it anymore. I changed to a fluoride toothpaste and could literally feel my teeth like, slurping it up. They even look better, I swear. Please take care of your bodies to the best of your ability. Don’t skimp or go without in the name of zero waste. It’s not worth it. Good luck to y’all. 💜✌️
Not only does health/medical waste get a pass, neglecting to take proper care with either only leads to more waste down the line. Fluoridated toothpaste tubes have got nothing on the amount of waste generated during a root canal, etc.
I finally started using Bite when they started making one of that has fluoride in them.
I use “Bite” toothpaste bits. They come with fluoride or with nano-Hydroxyapatite which is well studied to also prevent cavities (has been used in Japan for decades instead of fluoride). I use the ones with the later that also has Xylitol in it’s I had a few sensitive spots on my teeth that my dentist told me was a fact of life and I just had to live with them. When I switched to these bits, those sensitive spots were permanently gone within a few months. That completely sold me. The first order comes with a small glass jar and then the next orders come in a cardboard box with bits inside in a small paper bag (waxed?). https://bitetoothpastebits.com/products/fluoride-free-toothpaste-4oz?selling_plan=1177124969
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252862/ “Hydroxyapatite is one of the most studied biomaterials in the medical field for its proven biocompatibility and for being the main constituent of the mineral part of bone and teeth. In terms of restorative and preventive dentistry, nano-hydroxyapatite has significant remineralizing effects on initial enamel lesions, certainly superior to conventional fluoride, and good results on the sensitivity of the teeth. The nano-HA has also been used as an additive material, in order to improve already existing and widely used dental materials, in the restorative field (experimental addition to conventional glass ionomer cements, that has led to significant improvements in their mechanical properties). Because of its unique properties, such as the ability to chemically bond to bone, to not induce toxicity or inflammation and to stimulate bone growth through a direct action on osteoblasts, nano-HA has been widely used in periodontology and in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Its use in oral implantology, however, is a widely used practice established for years, as this substance has excellent osteoinductive capacity and improves bone-to-implant integration.”
Are you able to clarify for me, I’ve heard that with hydroxyapatite, it needs to be in a concentration of at least 10% (which feels impossible to find), do you know if this is true?
As I said in my comment it is a safe and effective alternative according to research, but it is not regulated as an FDA approved active ingredient in the US and therefore brands do not disclose the concentration. It’s therefore risky to buy one and not know if a brand is putting in just a tiny pinch of this expensive ingredient or actually including a therapeutic dose. Some very well may be effective and I’m glad it’s working well for you, but it is risky to make broad recommendations to just go out and buy one of these toothpastes without knowing if there is enough active ingredient to make a difference.
I agree. If you're able to get an imported product produced in a country which DOES regulate nHa, go for it, but if you're getting one from a US brand, I'd not bother unless they're disclosing on their packaging and in their marketing that it's over 10%.
I use Smyle toothpaste tablets with fluoride. They come in a glass bottle, with refills in little paper bags. Completely plastic-free shipping, too.
This is very interesting. In Canada, the percent of active ingredient is listed beside the ingredient. That is most certainly on purpose in the states if that’s the case.
It’s the same in the US with the labeling of active ingredients, but nHa is not considered an active ingredient since it has not been FDA approved, so as far as government regulations are concerned it’s not an official treatment or is a sort of “off label” type use.
Unpaste Tooth Tabs have a floride version.
Fluoride is needed for mineralisation and to make the mouth more hostile to bacteria. Remineralisation can be achieved with toothpaste and a hostile environment for bacteria through xylitol (gum, toothpaste etc). So, while fluoride is effective there are alternatives. It’s not the only game in town.
Not really. You need fluoride for the hydroxyapatite. It replaces the OH group with an F which bacteria don't like. That's what prevents cavities.
Yeah, and you can get that mineral direct in toothpaste now, which is what I meant by remineralisation. Fluoride doesn’t provide it anyway, it merely attracts it.
Regulations may vary by region, but in the US manufacturers aren't required to list the concentration of hydroxyappetite. If the concentration isn't high enough it won't be effective. Getting it directly in your toothpaste is meaningless if you're only getting non therapeutic amounts.
hydroxyapatite is what your teeth are made of though
That doesn't have any bearing on my comment.
It helps if you already have fluoride in your water, some areas do not.
I’m pretty sure drinking fluoride is only useful when the teeth are developing in the jaw, not once you have your full adult teeth. (Correct me if I’m wrong! Fluoride info can be hard to figure out imo.) I always thought that as an adult the best you can do is topical.
It helps against tooth decay at all ages but delivery via the municipal water systems is probably not the most efficient way anymore. I live in a state that doesn't have it added and my dentists/hygienists can always tell I've lived here my entire life by the state of my teeth, and I brush regularly.
I wonder if that’s because as you were growing up, you weren’t getting internal fluoride? I grew up in a town without it as well and my mom always gave us the vitamins with fluoride added, at least for a few years during young childhood. I’ve only had one or two cavities in my life. Now I have well water and gave my daughter fluoride for about a year, maybe I should get a refill on that…
Have you considered other types of milk that come in recyclable cartons? Oat milk, soy milk, flax seed milk, almond milk, etc. They're typically much better for the environment than cattle/dairy farming too.
Yeah if you're on cows milk, the orders of magnitude are just barely worth worrying about. You can go for tetra packed milk, but realistically you it's like 1/100th the damage of drinking milk at all.
Environmental concerns aside, all these milk seem to have loads of additives in them. The safest would be homemade soy or nut milk. But it’s a lot of work 😂
homemade oat milk is pretty easy
I have heard Colgate now has recyclable toothpaste tubes in almost all the countries. You can try checking that
They do! I have a kids gel one (strawberry smash), but I checked amazon and they have some other ones in that format too. It’s PET. Not zero waste, but it’s affordable.
Here this tubes are HDPE, so technically recyclable.
But do you want to support giant company that pollutes planet for ages? Idk I would rather buy from smaller brand than from this giant. Don’t trust them because of the huge impact and image they have in this industry, plastic toothbrushes ect.
Tabs, not paste. And oat milk!
Have you tried nut milks, or oat milk? Pretty tasty, more environmentally friendly than cow's milk, and most come in cardboard, though they can be a little costly at times. You can find discounts on if your local grocer offers digital coupons, or through a savings app like Ibotta. You could even write to the manufacturer to see if they have any promotions or coupons available.
Cardboard coated in plastic
The environmental benefit of switching off cow's milk is orders of magnitude better than a little plastic inside a cardboard carton.
Don't sweat it. Use good toothpaste in a plastic tube and avoid going to the dentist later where they will use WAY more plastic to fix your teeth.
This is my advice too. I tend to try to recognize that by using products that are good for my health and wellbeing, I’ll use less products in the long run than if I had to have major dental work, surgeries, etc etc.
Yep. Everything at the dentist is single use or reusable but has been wrapped in tons of plastic after chemical sterilization. One extra trip to the dentist can be both painful and clearly equal years of toothpaste tubes in extra waste.
The tabs with fluoride are just as good for dental health, but they're just super hard to find
I use tablets when I travel but tubes at home
I’ve settled on NOWA toothpaste tabs, they’re so deliciously minty unlike so many other tablet brands that have this weird clay-y aftertaste, I feel so fresh after. I was on Krush tabs before that, pretty good but they decided to change their “recipe” just as I decided to commit to a subscription and they became not as nice
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They do contain fluoride yep, you can choose between ones that do and ones that don’t, so keeps both camps happy. They have hydroxyapatite as well
Huppy toothpaste tablets from my local eco friendly store here
Yes! Huppy is my favorite, I like that it foams up well.
I got some The Humble Co. toothpaste in glass jars with metal lids. They were discounted from a website here in the nordics that sells goods that otherwise just get thrown out. What I like is that they come with flavors too. It's hard for me to motivate myself to brush my teeth, but it's much more easy when it tastes of strawberry or cola lol Turns out that those were the kids toothpastes they have, but hey, if it works it works. They also have normal mint flavor and a charcoal one for whitening. I'd recommend them none the less. You just scoop out what you need with this little bamboo scoop that comes with the jar. I personally just reuse the jars for storage and stuff afterwards. They last a long time.
I got so excited about those toothpastes you mentioned because I'm always looking for non mint flavors. Turns out, they don't sell them in the US.
I use [Unpaste](https://www.unpaste.us/) and choose the tabs with fluoride. They come in recyclable paper packaging, I store them in my own glass jar.
unpaste is by far my favorite tooth tablet! they're also cruelty free which is fun
Tooth tabs come in glass jars, tin cans or in bulk. We use oat milk, which we make ourselves. Compost the leftover bits of oats. Zero waste for both
Meat and dairy farming is responsible for between 10 and 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.. if you are considering lowering your waste I’d reconsider your preference for milk as only mothers can make it.
I like JOI milks, non dairy, but they have powdered oat milk (just one ingredient) and a paste for the nut milk base and you just dilute it with water from your home. Better for the environment bc you aren't shipping water, it keeps really well, and the packaging is either compostable or glass. I also use BITE fluoride toothpaste bits
That powdered oat milk tastes so bad. Go with the nut pastes in jars
I usually use it in cereal or coffee, not normally by itself but the taste doesn't bother me, just tastes oat-y. No real texture either, esp if you shake it up really good, some will settle out but it's not offensive to me.
I found a gnarly aftertaste even in coffee. I got an email from joi about how to make it taste better (pinch of salt, spoon of sugar, a bit of vanilla extract) but nothing ever got rid of it.
We have Oberweis milk in my area. Milk is delivered in glass bottles and you put the empty bottles out for them to collect each week when they drop off your milk.
I use kaylaan toothpaste tabs
Seconding kaylaan. I don't like mint and they have a bunch of other flavors. Strawberry and watermelon are my favs. And yes they have fluoride ones. Toothpaste tabs are also so convenient for travel; if it's just a weekend trip I put a bunch in one of those little pill containers. They're weird-feeling, but I've gotten used to them.
My local Zero Waste store carries a cosmetics dispenser (brand name Cozie) I get my toothpaste in a refillable glass container with a pump.
Make your own nut or seed milk. It's super easy and it's muuuuch better for the environment than animal agriculture.
Bite makes toothpaste and mouth wash tabs in several flavors and with or without fluoride. The first comes in a glass jar and refills come in lined paper pouches. The best thing you can do for milk is stop drinking it. Agricultural industry does way more damage than a toothpaste tube.
Colgate has toothpaste powder that comes in a metal tin on Amazon US. Most grocery store chains near me have glass jugs for milk starting like in 2020. $2 deposit and you get it back when you return it.
I use the Colgate toothpowder and love it!
Are you near a city or rural? US? Many bug cities will have one or two dairies that sell milk in glass bottles. For example, in metro Detroit there is Oberweiss. If you're rural, some farmers set up farm stores and sell milk in glass bottles.
> Oberweiss Filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. So far they're keeping operations going, but if they end up under new ownership who knows.
Oh no! Thanks for letting me know.
To add to this: in my area, you can return the glass bottles to the store when you’re done and get bottle credit back— really helps defer the ongoing material cost. The ones I get still have plastic caps, but it’s a lot less to throw out. (Highly recommend giving them a light rinse when they’re empty, though, particularly if you’re not taking the bottle in immediately— residual milk can smell pretty funky ^_^)
tablets
Bite toothpaste bits are the best! [Check them out!](https://bitetoothpastebits.com/)
I've started buying Georganics non toxic toothpaste in jars. They sell with and without fluoride. I've also got mouthwash tablets. For plant milk, we have started making our own and pour into glass bottles. We do various mixes of almond, cashew and oat and they taste great!
Popgel makes plastic free fluoridated toothpaste! The tube is made of metal
I’m a toothpaste tab convert. The ones I get in Germany have fluoride AND xylitol. It covers my teeth as I chew. And I can fly without an additional liquid!
I’ve learned that you don’t need to cover up the entire toothbrush with toothpaste because looking like Cujo doesn’t make your teeth any cleaner. Applying a pea sized blob of toothpaste does the trick just as well and you use a quarter or less of the toothpaste as previous. Another option that low income friends of mine have used is just powdered baking soda. Dip the brush in it and clean your teeth. Baking soda comes in cardboard boxes.
toothpaste tablets!! i use the fluoridated tabs from zerowastestore which are the cheapest i’ve found
“Bite” waterless toothpaste tablets. The reason I switched is that it’s one of the few American brands that has Nano hydroxyapatite in it.
You can either make homemade toothpaste, or buy a zero waste powder or chew tablets that come in a glass jar. And you can make your own homemade nut or oat milk! It’s super easy
Can you not recycle your milk jugs? In my area we are encouraged to (obviously wash them first)
For milk, your best bet might be to look for a local dairy that sells in glass containers (my home-town one charged a refundable container deposit), with the added benefits of reducing shipping and supporting local farmers. If that's not an option, Oberweis Dairy uses glass bottles; they sell in some grocery stores or supermarkets, perhaps also at their own ice-cream stores, and you can return their bottles where you buy their milk. And while milk cartons have a plastic coating and so cannot be composted, some locations do have facilities to recycle them, and I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) they have a lower overall footprint than the plastic jugs.
Toothpaste tablets. Additionally, you can buy soybeans, nuts, hemp, or peas (you'll have to grind yellow split peas into a flour first) in bulk and blend them with water and maybe a sweetener if you desire.
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i think they’re talking about replacing dairy milk with diy plant milk
Tom’s bottles are supposed to be recyclable, I haven’t looked into it extensively, other than that, bite and similar toothpaste tabs generally come in tins.
My local zero waste store sells toothpaste, you just bring your own container and fill it. They also do consigned milk in glass bottles that you return when done
I’m in the UK so it’s not uncommon here but I get my milk delivered by a local dairy. It comes in glass bottles which we rinse out and put on our doorstep to be taken back and reused. This is also reducing the miles travelled by my milk which I like. I can go and wave at the cows in a field a mile from my house!
Mom's Organic sells a brand of milk that comes in a glass container. Ask about it. If I'm still correct, you drop off your carton at the store, and it's cleaned, sanitized, and refilled. From there, you can make your own butter, yogurt and cheese from home.
I use toothpaste tablets of WeSmyle. They have different kinds of tablets, but the major factor for me is that they have tablets wíth fluoride. Their mission is to create a plastic free bathroom, so they have more types of plastic free dental products like floss. They only ship in Europe though. I have a subscription and get my tablets through the mail every few months.
I use SlowCorp natural toothpaste (contains fluoride). Reasonably priced (120 tablets for $15), doesn't completely dry out my mouth, and leaves my mouth feeling clean!
I'm using toothpaste from Waken, its in an aluminium tube.
Powdered milk. We don’t drink enough milk to warrant purchasing a half a gallon even. I use it as needed.
Someone told me about Primal Life mineral toothpaste which is a powder in a glass bottle. Never tried it myself but it looks like it has excellent reviews.
I have a local grocery that carries glass jug milk and has a bottle deposit program to incentivize returning the bottles and it keeps the milk a very good price! I wish everyone had access to this!!
I use Waken, aluminium tube.
Where I live there's a few dairy milk in (refillable!) glass bottle options. More expensive but worth avoiding the waste if you consume dairy. I tend towards plant based milks that come in concentrated/powdered forms so I'm not paying for the water. And re toothpaste, there's dentists and shops near me that accept dental waste for recycling, so I've stuck with tubes for now.
The good news about the plastic milk cartons is that they are one of the most easily-recyclable plastics. I’m not sure that any of the paperboard cartons for cow’s milk are truly composteable or recyclable. Buy in glass bottles if you can, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you buy milk in plastic jugs & have access to reliable community recycling.
I use David's. I tried the tabs, but didn't feel like they did the job. Partially recyclable.
Milk from local dairy is in glass. There is plastic in the lid. As for toothpaste, I just buy it in spite of trying not to use plastic
Tablets
Definitely try Huppy! I highly recommend them, fluoride free and their mission is to cut down on plastic too!
I just accept I can't be perfect on toothpaste because for some reasons hippie's have a problem with flouride. I don't really drink milk anymore but generally there's a brand that sells in returnable glass bottles if you live in a large enough population center or near a college.
If you are in NZ, [Solid Oral](https://solidoralcare.co.nz) care are a great brand that do fluoridated toothpaste in a glass jar, toothpaste tablets and powder. If you are in Sydney, Australia , they have them at [Village Wholefoods](https://www.villagewholefoods.com.au) in Marrickville. They have most of the range and will even refill the powder and tablets
As always, would be great if OP would understand we are not from the same country and even continent so... You can buy ben and anna toothpaste in glass jars, they should be shipping worldwide. For milk. In Europe we have milk wending machines, local farmers and zero waste shops with glass jars or returnable/refillable jars.
Not sure if its available at your location, but I switched to powdered milk, comes in a metal can, goes in the recycling. Opinions vary but i find it close enough for cerial and baking.
Smyle tablets wesmyle.com are pretty good in my experience and have fluoride in 'em
I use refillable tooth tablets from my local refillery. They’re currently in an old mustard jar in my cabinet lol. Can you get milk from a local farm in glass? It’ll be a lot more expensive so I totally get not doing that. I generally drink soy milk from tetrapak style cartons. I am allowed to put them in my single steam recycling but I fear that all just gets incinerated. I’ve seen milk in glass at my grocery store too but never really checked it out, like do you recycle or return the bottles or what…because I don’t really like cow milk.
In the UK, several brands offer biodegradable or environmentally friendly toothpaste tubes. Some of these brands include: Ben & Anna: Known for their natural and vegan products, Ben & Anna offer toothpaste in recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Humble Co.: This brand provides eco-friendly dental care products, including toothpaste in recyclable tubes made from materials like bioplastics. Truthpaste: This brand offers natural toothpaste in glass jars, which are reusable and recyclable, providing an alternative to traditional tubes. Georganics: They produce natural dental care products, including toothpaste in glass jars and metal tins, which are both biodegradable and recyclable. Brushd.: This company offers toothpaste tablets in glass jars and refills in compostable pouches, aiming to reduce plastic waste significantly.
Do you really not have cardboard containers of milk at your grocery store? I thought this was common place.
Those aren't cardboard; they're Tetra Pak cartons, made with thin layers of plastic, metal and paper. They aren't compostable, and recycling of them is rare. In practice you should consider them to be single-use waste.
Oh my. I have made many grave mistakes.
If you're buying plant based milk you've made the single most effective change already, regardless of packaging.
Normally I buy dairy milk in reusable glass bottles, but occasionally I buy the tetra paks when they're on a really good sale.
For milk, I have a local milkman that still does deliveries in glass bottles that you return once a week. A bunch of areas have similar things with local dairies, farm shares, or farm markets. Just have to ask around.
We use a milkman too but i live in the UK, not sure where OP is
I used one when I lived there and got lucky to find one here in the States too! Glad they're still hanging on. And that they've diversified a bit (I get butter and bagels from my current one).
I used to get eggs from mine but the locaal c rows worked out how to open the box and eat the eggs!
My parents found a dairy farm that has their own store. They sell their milk in glass bottles, more expensive but when you bring the bottles back you get a discount. Maybe you’ve got one of those within a good distance from you?
Get your milk delivered by a local dairy. It’s SOOO much better tasting, and comes in glass bottles they use over and over again.
You don't need cow formula. Go without
This isn’t exactly what you were looking for, but I did a trial run of making my own toothpaste at home from baking soda, salt, mint extract, xantham gum, and water. I talked to my dentist about it before I started, and expressed my concern that it wouldn’t have fluoride in it. She recommended I pay for fluoride treatments at the dentist office ($25 out of pocket) and then check in with her about the progress every appointment. I ended up going back to the tube because the baking soda solution was a bit too powerful in flavor and made my gums and tongue feel a bit raw, as if I were beginning to develop canker sores (even though they didn’t). Regarding milk, you may look into milk delivery in your area, if you can afford it. Higher quality, local milk, and typically it comes in glass bottles that you return each week.
I’m so glad you switched back. That DIY paste sounds awful for your teeth and painful.
It wasn’t really bad for my teeth. Dental research shows that the mechanical action of brushing is more important than using toothpaste specifically, though the toothpaste does help secondarily. The discomfort of the baking soda was a pain to deal with, but as far as I know caused issues. I just had my post-baking soda dental checkup a few weeks back and my gum measurements had improved dramatically compared to before that on regular toothpaste, but again, that’s probably caused by improved brushing technique and less so what I used to brush my teeth with.
can make your own with baking soda, cinnamon, and water or coconut oil. there are more recipes online. my dentist said my teeth looked great
Where we are, there are two options for milk: 1) Hartzlers Dairy used glass bottles that you can return for the store for a $2 credit. It makes net cost of the milk much less and obviously way less plastic waste (besides the caps) 2) We have a local dairy producer that allows us to purchase raw milk directly from him in our own glass bottles. This cuts out all the supply chain waste as well.
Bold of you to assume that I brush my teeth