Do you want to rid your bathroom of plastic without compromising on results? Our complete guide to eco-friendly dental care will help you make the right choices for you.
Most of us agree that we can’t go on as before if we want to bring back our planet from the brink. And while governments and big corporations and industries will have to step up, there are things we can do as well.
Making more sustainable choices will help us to do our bit for the planet. One way of doing this is to reduce the amount of plastic we have in our homes. Or at least make sure that as much of it is recycled wherever possible.
The bathroom is a good starting point, because we use so many plastic products, such as toothbrushes, dental floss and toothpaste tubes.
But we shouldn’t compromise on the health of our teeth and gums by doing so.
That’s why you will find all you need to know about caring for your teeth in a sustainable way in our complete guide to eco-friendly dental care.
Can You Recycle Toothbrush Heads, Toothpaste Tubes And Co?
Good oral care is important for the health of our teeth and gums. Most of us have found the right oral care products that we like and that work for us.
You might wonder if these products can be recycled. After all, they are made of plastic and plastic is recyclable, right?
Well, it’s not that simple. Because most dental care products, such as toothbrushes, consist of different types of plastic fused together, they are difficult to recycle.
That’s why they are normally not accepted by most councils for their home recycling programmes. And when we talk about recycling, we normally mean we can put it in the recycle bin at home.
So to start our guide to eco-friendly dental care, let’s be clear on what we can and cannot recycle at home.
The following dental care products can’t be recycled at home:
- toothpaste tubes
- toothbrushes
- electric toothbrush heads
- electric or battery toothbrushes
- electric flosser nozzles
- dental floss
- floss picks
- interdental brushes
- plastic dental floss containers
- plastic packaging
Quite a list! Now let’s look at what you can put in your recycle bin at home:
- cardboard packaging
- mouthwash bottles
If you are disappointed now that this list is so small, so am I. The good news is, that the items in the first list can still be recycled, just not at home.
Because most of our oral care products consist of a mix of different types of plastic, special recycling facilities are needed.
One such facility is TerraCycle. And the company has partnered up with Philips and Colgate/hello to provide their services for free to the public.
Both programmes are free. All you have to do is drop off your oral care products at one of their drop-off points. That’s it.
However, if you have such a drop-off point near you, depends on where you live. That means these programmes are not accessible for everyone in the UK.
Find out more about how to recycle electric toothbrush heads, floss picks and toothpaste tubes in our handy guides.
Our Top-Rated Sustainable Toothbrush Heads:
| Toothbrush Heads | Compatability | Value For Money | Sustainability | My Rating | Full Review | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Oral-B/Braun & Phillips Sonicare | Excellent | Outstanding | 4.78 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Philips Sonicare | Excellent | Outstanding | 4.78 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Georganics | Great | Excellent | 4.78 | Read Review | Visit Website |
Is An Electric Or Manual Toothbrush Better For The Environment?
The next topic I want to look at in my guide to eco-friendly dental care is whether a manual or electric toothbrush is better for our planet.
This is a topic that has always interested me.
I want to be clear from the start, this is not about which is better for your teeth, but the environment. And it is your decision which one you use.
The Manual Toothbrush
Most manual toothbrushes are made of different types of plastic fused together.
The handle, which is made of hard plastic, and sometimes you also have rubber parts for a better grip. Then you have the bristles, which are most commonly made of nylon.
The plastic used is traditional made from fossil fuels, which is a finite material. This means it’s not a sustainable substance to use.
Because you are advised to change your toothbrush every three months for hygiene reasons, new toothbrushes have to be produced all the time.
The combination of different types of plastic makes it difficult to recycle toothbrushes, which is only possible in specialist facilities. As a result, most manual toothbrushes end up in landfill.
There they take hundreds of years to break down and might leak toxins into the environment which could cause harm to plants and wildlife.
There are more eco-friendly alternatives. Some manufacturers use bioplastics, which are made from plant-based materials. This means that no fossil fuels are used, making it more sustainable.
But it’s still plastic and the disposal is still an issue.
You can get bamboo toothbrushes, which are more eco-friendly again, because the handle is made of wood not plastic.
However, there is currently no feasible non-plastic alternative for the bristles. So even bamboo brushes will have nylon bristles, albeit most use plant-derived nylon.
This means you will have to get rid of the bristles or heads and dispose of them in the general waste bin. The bamboo handle can be put in the green waste bin or be thrown on the compost heap in the garden.
The Electric Toothbrush
With an electric toothbrush you have the same issues in terms of different types of plastic being used. And the plastic used is mostly fossil fuel-derived.
But because it’s electric, you also have a lot of other materials, such as metals in the handle.
The process of producing an electric toothbrush is much more energy intensive than for a manual one. And while you keep the handle for years, the heads still need to be changed every three months.
You also need a charger, which needs to be produced and contains a mix of different materials, including plastic and metal.
Then you have to charge your electric toothbrush regularly, so you can keep using it, which uses energy. The older your toothbrush is, the more often you have to charge it.
You can get electric toothbrush heads made from bamboo, but you still have the issue of the bristles being made from nylon.
There are companies who sell toothbrush heads for big electric toothbrush brands, which you can send back to them, and they will recycle them. For example, LiveCoCo or Georganics.
Sustainable Toothbrush Heads Quiz:
Answer 5 simple questions and get a personal recommendation.
Conclusion
Taken all this into account, a manual toothbrush is better for the environment than an electric one.
If you want to know more, you can read our detailed analysis of which is better for the environment, a manual or electric toothbrush.
Whether you should swap your electric brush for a manual one is a decision only you can make. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you and the health of your mouth.
Is It Worth Swapping To A Bamboo Toothbrush?
This guide to eco-friendly dental care is all about helping you to understand the impact of the oral care products you use and make a decision on what steps to take to become more sustainable.
Bamboo has been hailed as the ideal replacement for plastic in all sorts of categories. And the toothbrush is one of them.
We have already seen that it is more eco-friendly than a plastic toothbrush, but is it worth swapping?
Well, the quick and simple answer is, that there is no difference in terms of performance between a plastic or bamboo toothbrush.
You will still have to change it every three months, because of hygiene reasons. This has to do with the bristles and the level of bacteria.
So it doesn’t matter if the handle is made from bamboo or plastic.
But at least the bamboo handle will decompose and release nutrients that are beneficial for the environment. Once you have removed the bristles, you can dispose of it in the green waste bin or on your compost heap.
You can even use the handle in the garden. Write the name of the plant you are growing on it and stick it in the soil.
Many UK brands sell them, including REGN, Truthbrush, &keep and Georganics, who sell beechwood toothbrushes.
Find out more about this topic in our guide: Are bamboo toothbrushes any good?
Zero-Waste Toothpaste
If you are looking for more eco-friendly dental care, you might have considered swapping to a zero-waste toothpaste alternative.
These alternatives have become more popular in recent years, which means they are not too difficult to get hold of. And there are many UK-based brands that sell them, which is great news.
One thing you need to be aware of is that some of these toothpaste alternatives don’t contain fluoride. This is a natural occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay.
So let’s have a look at the various alternatives to toothpaste tubes.
Toothpaste Tablets
This is probably the most commonly known alternative and hailed as THE eco-friendly dental care solution. It’s basically toothpaste in concentrated form.
Each tablet is the right amount for one brush. You just start chewing it and then brush. It’s very simple.
Toothpaste tablets tend to come in recyclable packaging, mostly glass jars with aluminium lids. Both these materials can be recycled endlessly, unlike plastic, which can only be recycled a certain number of times.
Many companies also offer refill options, where you get your tablets in compostable bags, which you empty into your jar. So it’s a great zero-waste, zero-plastic option.
Depending on the ingredients used, the tablets might not foam as your traditional toothpaste does. While this is not a problem, it’s something you might have to get used to.
You should also be aware that toothtablets are not suitable for everyone. Young children and babies might swallow them, which could be dangerous.
People with dentures might find it difficult to chew the tablets. And because you use your saliva to turn the tablets into foam, people with low levels of saliva might struggle.
Toothpaste tablets contain all the necessary ingredients to clean your teeth, and often they contain 100% natural ingredients. This means there won’t be any nasty chemicals that could harm you or the environment.
But some brands don’t contain fluoride, which is great if you try to avoid it. But fluoride toothpaste is recommended by dentists, because this mineral can help to prevent decay. It’s a naturally occurring mineral though, and you can get tablets with fluoride.
Toothtablets are also ideal for travelling, because you can just take the amount of tablets you will use. With toothpaste, this is not possible.
Many UK-based companies offer toothpaste tablets, including Georganics, Truthbrush, EcoLiving and LiveCoCo.
Toothpaste Powder
You might not have heard of this eco-friendly dental care product. It’s less known than tablets.
Like the tablets, toothpowder is a concentrated form of toothpaste.
To use it, you dip your toothbrush into the powder and start brushing. It can take some time to get used to it, and some people might find it more difficult to use than toothpaste.
The powder tends to come in recyclable packaging, mostly glass jars. Many companies offer refills as well, which come in compostable paper bags or tubes. So toothpowder is a great zero-waste, zero-plastic alternative.
Toothpowders don’t tend to contain fluoride and are generally non-foaming. The majority contain 100% natural ingredients.
There are studies that have shown that toothpowder is more effective in removing plaque and stains. But it can also be harsher on your teeth and gums. For some people, it might be too harsh.
On average, toothpowder is similar priced or cheaper than traditional toothpaste. This will also depend on how much you use during a brushing session.
There are fewer UK-brands offering toothpaste powder, but some do, including Georganics and Detox Planet.
Toothpaste Soap
This is probably the least known toothpaste alternative. That also means that it’s more difficult to find, especially if you are after a solid toothpaste that’s made in the UK.
It’s basically a soap, but made for your teeth rather than your skin. You just wet your toothpaste and rub it against the soap. It will start to foam, and you then can brush your teeth. It’s very easy to use.
It normally comes in a cardboard box that can be recycled or composted, which means there is no plastic in sight.
And in most cases, these soaps contain 100% natural ingredients, but normally no fluoride.
Toothsoaps tend to be more gentle on the teeth and gums, so ideal for everyone needing a softer approach.
Toothpaste soaps need to be stored correctly, to ensure they will keep as long as possible. This means you need to give it chance to dry out and keep it somewhere it stays dry.
So you will need to get a soap dish for storage. But if stored correctly, it can last you a long time.
In terms of price, they tend to be cheaper or similar priced to traditional toothpaste.
It can taste a bit soapy, which is something you need to get used to. There aren’t many UK-based brands that offer toothsoap, but Georganics do.
Can Dental Floss Be Eco-Friendly?
You may have heard that dental floss is bad for the environment. There are several reasons for it:
- single-use – it’s not recommended to re-use dental floss
- made from nylon, most of which is made from fossil fuels
- too small to be recycled which means it ends up in landfill, rivers, oceans and our countryside
- takes a long time to break down in our environment
- most dental floss is waxed – wax is made from fossil fuels
- floss containers are not recyclable at home
However, there are more eco-friendly ways to floss your teeth. And it’s important that you do floss your teeth, as your dentist will tell you.
A non-plastic alternative is silk floss. It’s made from silk, which is a compostable material. However, as it’s not vegan or cruelty-free, due to the way it is produced. I will spare you the details.
It’s up to you if this is acceptable for you or not. If it is, then this could be an eco-friendly way to floss your teeth.
If not, then you don’t have too many options. This is because at the moment there is no alternative to nylon that would work, apart from silk.
However, there are UK brands out there that offer dental floss that has been made from plant-derived nylon, mostly cornstarch or castor oil.
Unlike fossil fuels, these are infinite materials, so using them is more sustainable. But the end result is still plastic, that cannot be recycled.
There are also plant-based options for the wax that is used with dental floss.
These more eco-friendly dental floss options also tend to come in plastic-free packaging, such as glass jars. And most brands will also offer refills.
UK-based companies that offer plant-derived dental floss include &keep, LiveCoCo, REGN and Georganics.
One thing you should be aware of. Many companies claim that their dental floss is plastic-free. But unless their floss is made 100% of silk, it will contain plastic.
I don’t think that these brands try to deceive you, at least most of them don’t, but it’s rather a confusion about terms.
Bioplastic or plant-derived, make it sound eco-friendly and that there is no plastic involved. Some plastics are also biodegradable, which again could be interpreted as being different from traditional plastic.
The term biodegradable is also often confused with compostable. But these two are different things.
Biodegradable simply means that a material will break down aided by microorganisms. But this can take years and even some fossil fuel derived plastics are biodegradable.
When breaking down most plastics, plant-based and fossil fuel-based, leak toxins into the environment.
Compostable is a protected term in the UK and can only be used when a material will decompose or break down into biomass, carbon and water. Specific conditions are needed.
Not all compostable material can be put on the compost heap at home. That’s because some will only compost under certain circumstances, which is called industrial composting.
As you can see, it’s all a bit complicated. What you should remember is that there is at the moment no non-plastic floss available, apart from silk.
Are Interdental Brushes Recyclable?
Interdental brushes are seen as the best way to clean between your teeth. Research has shown that it’s more effective than using floss.
But are these interdental brushes recyclable? To answer this question we have to take a closer look at what it is.
It consists of two parts: a handle and the cleaning part that goes between your teeth. Unfortunately, these are all made from different materials.
The handle is made of plastic, most commonly fossil fuel-derived. The cleaning part consists of a metal wire and nylon bristles, which are again traditionally made from fossil fuels.
Because of the mix of different materials, interdental brushes are very difficult to recycle. UK councils won’t accept them as part of their recycling programme, as they don’t have the right facilities.
But TerraCycle has one recycling programme that will accept these brushes, the Philips programme. But as we have said before, whether you are able to access this free programme will depend on where you live.
This means the majority of these brushes will end up in landfill.
However, if you take good care of it, you can use your interdental brush for up to two weeks. So at least they are not single use.
More eco-friendly alternatives include brushes that were made from plant-derived plastic handles and bristles. This way you cut out the fossil fuels, which is more sustainable.
But you can also buy interdental brushes that have a bamboo handle. Although only the handle is made of bamboo, you still have to remove the cleaning head, which needs to be disposed of in general waste.
It’s not perfect, but it’s much more eco-friendly than a plastic handle.
You will also need access to compost facilities, either by having a compost heap or a garden waste bin. And make sure you choose a company that uses sustainable bamboo.
You can get bamboo interdental brushes from UK-based companies such as &keep, Truthbrush, LiveCoCo and Brushd.
Georganics uses beechwood instead of bamboo, which works just as well.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is possible to have an eco-friendly oral care routine that doesn’t just keep your mouth healthy, but also our planet.
By swapping traditional dental products that are made of fossil fuel-derived plastic with bioplastic or non-plastic alternatives, we can reduce the plastic waste we produce.
While it is important that we don’t compromise on our oral health, there are ways we can reduce our environmental impact.
Some of the alternatives might need getting used to a bit, but there are options for brushing and flossing, keeping our teeth in top condition.
Now that you know all about eco-friendly dental care, you can make the right choices for the planet and your oral health.
