Sustainable Toothpaste: How Your Daily Brushing Can Help the Planet
Brushing your teeth is one of life’s simplest daily rituals - but have you ever stopped to think about its impact on the planet?
Every year in the UK alone, over 300 million toothpaste tubes are used and discarded. Most of them end up in landfill, and if laid end-to-end, they’d circle the Earth more than once. It’s a staggering amount of waste from a small, everyday item. [1]
Fortunately, there’s a growing movement towards sustainable toothpaste and eco-friendly oral care - proving that even the smallest daily habits can make a meaningful difference.
The Problem with Traditional Toothpaste Tubes
Toothpaste tubes might look harmless, but their design makes them extremely difficult to recycle. Traditional tubes are made from layers of plastic and aluminium, which are nearly impossible to separate in standard recycling facilities.
Even if you put an empty tube in your recycling bin:
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The mixed materials can’t be easily separated
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Residual toothpaste often contaminates recycling streams
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Most tubes are rejected and end up in landfill
This problem has led many major brands to explore recyclable materials - but the solution isn’t as simple as it sounds. [2]
Are Recyclable Toothpaste Tubes the Answer?
Some companies, including Colgate, have made progress by introducing HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) tubes - a material that’s more widely recyclable and used for milk bottles.
However, while this is a step forward, recyclable doesn’t always mean recycled.
Here’s why HDPE toothpaste tubes still face challenges:
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Their small size makes them harder for sorting systems to identify
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Leftover product can contaminate recycling batches
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Not all recycling centres are equipped to process them correctly
So even recyclable tubes often still end up in landfill. The issue isn’t just what the tube is made from - it’s how the system handles it.
What Makes Toothpaste Sustainable?
A truly sustainable toothpaste goes beyond recyclable packaging. It considers every part of the product’s lifecycle - from ingredients to disposal.
Look for toothpaste that is:
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Made with certified organic, plant-based ingredients
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Free from plastic, SLS, fluoride, and artificial additives
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Packaged in glass jars or compostable materials
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Cruelty-free and ethically produced
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Low-impact to manufacture and ship
By choosing toothpaste that’s plastic-free with organic ingredients, you’re reducing waste, protecting ecosystems, and supporting brands committed to ethical production.
Truthpaste: Plastic-Free & made with Certified Organic Ingredients
At New Dawn, we believe that sustainable choices should always increase the quality and the effectiveness of a product. That’s why we’re proud to offer Truthpaste - a toothpaste that cares for your teeth, gums and the environment.
Truthpaste is:
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Made with Organic, Vegan ingredients
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Packed with mineral-rich, plant-based ingredients
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Housed in fully recyclable and plastic-free packaging
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Free from harsh chemicals and unnecessary additives
By switching to Truthpaste, your daily brushing becomes an act of environmental care - not waste. It’s a small change that creates a big ripple effect.
The Benefits of Switching to Plastic-Free Toothpaste
Going plastic-free and organic with your toothpaste has benefits that go far beyond waste reduction:
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Healthier teeth and gums - no synthetic chemicals or artificial flavourings
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Reduced plastic pollution - no tubes clogging up landfills or polluting oceans
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Cleaner conscience - every brush supports a more sustainable lifestyle
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Simple to adopt - Truthpaste is now available in sample sizes so you can try before you commit
One jar at a time, your daily routine becomes a quiet revolution. Over an average lifetime, almost 500 plastic tubes can be spared from landfill by just one person! Proof that real change can start in your own bathroom.
Try it for yourself >
How to Make Your Bathroom More Sustainable
Sustainable living starts with small swaps. Alongside choosing eco-friendly toothpaste, you can reduce your plastic footprint and get healthier by replacing other everyday items too:
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Bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones
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Plastic free Solid Soap and Shampoo Bars
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Compostable cotton buds and wipes
Each eco-conscious choice helps create a zero-waste bathroom that supports both your wellbeing and the planet.
👉 Discover more eco-friendly bathroom alternatives [here].
Every Smile Makes a Difference
Our daily routines might seem small, but collectively, they have a huge impact. Switching to sustainable toothpaste is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste and care for the planet - without changing your lifestyle drastically.
By brushing with plant-based, plastic-free toothpaste like Truthpaste, you’re helping create a cleaner, healthier world - one smile at a time.
✅ Sustainable Toothpaste = Sustainable Planet.
✅ Every brush counts. Every smile matters.
💚 Ready to take the next step? Choose Truthpaste from New Dawn and turn your daily brushing into a daily act of sustainability.
Shop Sustainable Toothpaste Now >
Your next read:
Why Organic Skincare is Better for the Environment
The Social Impact of Organic Skin & Hair Care
References:
1. Dental Tribune. (2021). Three hundred million toothpaste tubes go to landfill. available at: https://www.dental-tribune.com/news/three-hundred-million-toothpaste-tubes-go-to-landfill/
2. Which?. (2025). Can you recycle toothpaste tubes? Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/can-you-recycle-toothpaste-tubes
