In 2019 I went to a presentation by a photographer for National Geographic, Randy Olson, and he mentioned that toothpaste tubes are just about the #1 hardest thing to recycle/decompose. The world’s landfills are full of 'em.
Ever since, I’ve been sort of half-heartedly haunted by that, and I’ve looked into various ways to avoid toothpaste tubes altogether. A few companies (Hello, Lush), do make toothpaste tabs, and I’ve tried them all, but they really don’t make a “paste” at all - I just end up with a crunchy, gritty bit of chewed up tablet. I spent $10 on a metal tube of Davids toothpaste, and, while it’s not so bad that I won’t finish it, I sure don’t want to - it’s watery and salty, and to feel like I’m properly cleaning my teeth, I find myself using twice as much as I’d use of “normal” toothpaste.
Ideally, I’d like to not only make my own toothpaste, but I’d like a way to package it. There are lots of recipes online, but I’ve never found a good container. For DIYers, maybe a tube with a cap, but the body of the tube is a long, slim Ziplok bag? I can’t be the only person to have thought of this - why doesn’t Crest sell a version in a waxed paper tube, for example?
They make plastic, refillable, reusable tubes for camping. They are probably larger than your average toothpaste tube, but otherwise seem just what you’re looking for!
But why, instead of trying to cram homemade paste into a tube, not just buy or concoct a bunch of tooth powder and store it dry? I acknowledge the comment about one brand being “crunchy, gritty”, but even cheap, common toothpaste contains stuff like calcium carbonate and what not. Why not try a couple of different brands of powder, or make some, before giving up?
This seems like entirely the wrong place to optimize your life. The solution to climate change has never been individual action, it has always been regulation. Channel whatever energy you were going to spend looking for sustainable toothpaste into political activism to push for sensible policies.
In particular, I really recommend you watch this video by an environmental activist that talks about how the carbon footprint was a deliberate invention of BP to shift blame and how climate justice is fundamentally intertwined with social justice and that there is no solution to the former without the latter.
I use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda out of the box. I’ve done this for years and years. Always a great report at the dentist’s office, too, so … it’s working fine for me.
Got the idea from an old GF, who – decades later – has a beautiful smile and basically perfect teeth. Baking soda was all she ever used, too.
Cheap, eco-friendly, no clunky packaging. And … yeah … pour some in a zipper lock bag for travel.
For people who have recommended dry powder or baking soda - I actually do have some of this, too (Lush), and maybe a stupid question for you - how do you get it on a toothbrush? Or do you just put some in your mouth, swish, then brush?
OP, there are zero waste stores where customers fill their own containers for things like shampoo, soap, and other products. If you google “zero waste” and your state, you should be able to find some of those. I do agree with Shalmanese that these tiny steps, while laudable, aren’t nearly enough and can give us a false sense of addressing the (much bigger) problem. However, there’s nothing that says you can’t look for sustainable products and push for climate change policies.
Also, toothpowder has always come in bottles with sprinkle tops. (Toothpowder was around long before the advent of toothpaste.) If you bought such a bottle, you could reuse it indefinitely. You’d get a little in the sink, but it rinses right off.
I have weak teeth that require fluoride, so I won’t be making my own toothpaste, but for those of you blessed with exceptionally strong teeth, it’d sure be cheaper.
During WWII, my mother’s family used a combination of salt and baking soda. Mom actually went back to that when her favorite brand bellied up. She always had strong teeth so I assume that the baking soda didn’t scratch the surface. I’m not so sure about the salt.
Wet the brush. Shake off excess water. Press the brushing end into the powder. Set the brush down, then close the powder container. Pick up powdered brush and get those teeth clean.
I mention closing the container because you don’t want to spill the contents or end up with wet contents.
How about this. A sterile 6 cc syringe (or bigger, but without preservatives, small batches may be better. Easy to fill, cleanable, reusable,and probably recyclable. Don’t use a needle, just push the plunger and it should come out the opening.