Blog Post

Best Zero Waste Toothpaste: Tablets & Refillable

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.

Zero Wasted • Feb 19, 2023

Why switch to zero waste toothpaste? 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes go to landfill or the ocean every single year and 300 million of those are from the UK.

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:

NON-RECYCLABLE TUBES

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.

BETTER ALTERNATIVES

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.

WASTED PRODUCT

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:

  • What are toothpaste 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'.

  • How do toothpaste tablets work?

    1. Place a tablet in your mouth
    2. Gently chew the tablet and form a paste
    3. Wet your toothbrush and brush for 2 minutes
  • Does zero waste toothpaste have fluoride?

    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.

  • Should toothpaste be free from palm oil?

    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

  • Why is zero waste toothpaste more expensive?

    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.

  • Can children use toothpaste tablets?

    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. 

  • Are there toothpaste tablets for sensitive teeth?

    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. 

Best Zero Waste Toothpaste

🪥 Cost per month is per person brushing twice a day

three tubes of PAIST fluoride toothpaste in Whitening, Daily and Sensitive options.

PAIST Toothpaste

from £5.94 for Daily Tube on subscription

p&p free

VIEW ON PAIST →

1. Paist

Best for plastic free toothpaste in a tube

PAIST offers a completely plastic free liquid toothpaste range, which includes Daily, Whitening, and Sensitive options, all housed in infinitely recyclable metal tubes. The toothpastes are free from artificial flavours, preservatives, and SLS. Their abrasive-free whitening toothpaste contains natural enzymes and Hydrogen Peroxide to break down stains (great news, because we had no idea most whitening toothpastes are bad for your teeth).


Their Sensitive toothpaste contains Hydroxyapatite and Potassium Citrate for a high gloss white shine and reduced sensitivity. All PAIST formulas are plant-based, vegan certified, Natural Certified and made in the UK. Each tube is 75ml and should last you just over 1 month. With every subscription you'll get a free squeezer key for getting every last drop!

  • PACKAGING

    ♻️ Recyclable metal tube

    🗑️ Zinc alloy cap should be disposed of in the general waste bin. In the UK, 95% of general waste is incinerated to generate electricity and metals are extracted from the ash for recycling.

    ♻️ Recyclable box

  • INGREDIENTS

    Whitening: Bromelain & Papain, Hydrogen Peroxide 0.1%

    Daily: Aloe Vera, Vitamin E

    Sensitive: Hydroxyapatite 5%, Potassium Citrate

🪥 £5.40 / month 🐰 Cruelty free
🌱 Vegan 🥤 Plastic free
🌿 Natural flavouring 🦷 1450ppm fluoride
🧒 Not suitable for children 🇬🇧 Made in UK

Get up to 30% off + free squeezer key with limited time offer:

BUY FROM PAIST

NoWa Toothpaste Tablets

£25 for 480 tabs

p&p free

VIEW ON NOWA →

2. NoWa

Best for wonder ingredient Hydroxyapatite

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!

  • PACKAGING

    🌱 Home compostable (TUV certified) pouches made from Natureflex

    🔄 Reusable aluminium tin

  • INGREDIENTS

    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
BUY FROM NOWA

Life Supplies Refillable Toothpaste

£12.99 for 3 month refill subscription

p&p £3.50 / Free £25+

VIEW ON LIFE SUPPLIES →

3. Life Supplies

Best for plant-based refillable toothpaste

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 recycled pouches that provide 3 months worth (200ml) of toothpaste and a free returns envelope to pop them back in the post to be properly recycled again. There is a lock mechanism on the pump, it's travel friendly too!

  • PACKAGING

    ♻️ 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)

  • INGREDIENTS

    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

🪥 £4.33 / month 🐰 Cruelty free
🌱 Vegan 🔄 Refillable
🌿 Natural flavouring 🦷 1450ppm fluoride
🧒 Ages 7+ 🇬🇧 Made in UK

Get 10% off with code 10-ZERO-WASTED

BUY FROM LIFE SUPPLIES

PÄRLA Pro Toothpaste Tablets

£32 for 248 tabs on subscription

Free shipping

VIEW ON PÄRLA →

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.

4. PÄRLA Pro

Best for whitening + sensitivity

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.

  • PACKAGING

    ♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass jar with aluminium lid

    🌱♻️ Refills come in home compostable starch bags and recycled carboard

  • INGREDIENTS

    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

PARLA Discount Code: 10% off with ZEROWASTED

BUY FROM PARLA

Truthtabs Toothpaste Tablets

£10 for 186 tabs

p&p £2.95 or £1.95 for subscribers

VIEW ON TRUTHBRUSH →

5. Truthtabs

Best for B Corp fluoride tabs

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.

  • PACKAGING

    ♻️ 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)

  • INGREDIENTS

    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

🪥 £3.23 / month 🐰 Cruelty free
🌱 Vegan 🥤 Plastic free
🌿 Natural flavouring 🦷 1450ppm fluoride
Ⓑ Corp Certified 🏆 Award-winning
🧒 Not suitable for children 🇬🇧 Made in UK
BUY FROM TRUTHBRUSH

PÄRLA Original Toothpaste Tabs

£20 for 248 tabs on subscription

Free shipping

VIEW ON PÄRLA →

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.

6. PÄRLA Original

Best for natural whitening

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+.

  • PACKAGING

    ♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass jar with aluminium lid

    🌱♻️ Refills come in home compostable starch bags and recycled carboard

  • INGREDIENTS

    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

PARLA Discount Code: 10% off with ZEROWASTED

BUY FROM PARLA

ecoLiving Toothpaste Tablets

£5.75 for 125 tabs

p&p £4..99 / free £60+

VIEW ON PLASTIC FREEDOM →

7. ecoLiving

Best for most affordable fluoride tabs

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.

  • PACKAGING

    🌱 Plant-based certified home compostable bag made from recycled paper with inner PLA lining (resealable and made in the UK) 

  • INGREDIENTS

    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
BUY FROM PLASTIC FREEDOM

Denttabs Toothpaste Tablets

£5.75 for 125 tabs

p&p £3.95 / Free £50+

VIEW ON &KEEP →

8. Denttabs

Best for child-friendly tabs with fluoride

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+.

  • PACKAGING

    🏭 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.

  • INGREDIENTS

    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)

&KEEP Discount code: 5% off with ANDKEEP5

BUY FROM & KEEP

Georganics Mineral Toothpaste Tablets

£19.90 for 480 tablets

p&p £3 / free £20+

VIEW ON GEORGANICS →

9. Georganics

Best for fluoride-free tablets

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.

  • PACKAGING

    🌱 Compostable paper label

    ♻️ 🔄 Recyclable or reusable glass bottle with aluminium lid

    ♻️ Recyclable cardboard box

  • INGREDIENTS

    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
BUY FROM GEORGANICS

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.


🪥

ADVERTISEMENTS

Newsletter Signup

Sustainable Shopping Guides, Offers + Reviews.

Delivered to your inbox.

THE LATEST

Sustainable Shopping Guides

a man and a woman holding hands in front of a rock wall wearing chunky knitted jumpers
By Zero Wasted 11 Jan, 2024
Discover the top sustainable knitwear brands in the UK for eco-friendly, ethical choices from luxurious British wool jumpers to organic cotton cardigans.
woman stood on the beach under a rainbow
By Zero Wasted 01 Jan, 2024
Brighten someone's day with the gift of self-care. We've found the best gifts for wellness and wellbeing in the UK to support relaxation and mindfulness.
fabric wrapped Christmas presents
By Zero Wasted 21 Nov, 2023
The best sustainable and ethical Christmas gifts for him and her, eco gifts for kids and gifts under £12 including plastic free stocking fillers for kids.
Christmas tree with decorations
By Zero Wasted 13 Nov, 2023
We've discovered the top UK eco Christmas tree delivery services and our ethical and sustainable Christmas decorations for a truly green Christmas.
Show More
Share by: