Brush up on eco-friendly toothpaste in the UK with this guide to sustainable brands, including plastic-free and palm oil-free versions.

Are you on the hunt for a more sustainable toothpaste? Whether you’re after something plastic-free and zero-waste, handy toothpaste tablets, a recyclable metal tube, or even a refillable option, the choices have never been better. In 2025, there’s an option for almost every sustainable dental care variable.

What’s Wrong With Conventional Toothpaste Tubes?

Before we get into the guide, you might be wondering what exactly is wrong with standard toothpaste tubes. Well, toothpaste tubes and other types of squeezable tubes are often difficult to recycle because they combine different materials.

Toothpaste tubes, in particular, often contain a thin layer of aluminium, sandwiched between various types of plastic. It’s too tricky and too costly for recycling centres to separate and process these layers, so instead the empty tubes get sent to landfill.

Most big dental care manufacturers have been working towards all their toothpaste tubes being recyclable by 2025 – switching over to making them out of a recyclable plastic known as HDPE. This stands for high density polyethylene, and is the stuff that milk cartons are made of.

Whilst this is a good step, not all brands have been able to meet this goal yet (even in 2025). And even if your preferred brand has met this goal, your local authority might not be set up to accept these types tubes for recycling yet. As such, you should check with your local authority before you pop these in your plastic recycling bin.

Alternatively you can recycle toothpaste tubes at branches of Boots – although depending on where you live this may not be an accessible option. As such, you may want to bypass the plastic tubes entirely and opt for more sustainable options.

The UK Sustainable Toothpaste Brands To Know

To help you out, here are my favourite sustainable toothpaste brands in the UK right now. These brands should be fully recyclable in most parts of the UK. However, do check with your local council on anything you are not sure about.

I’ve also specifically looked for brands that offer fluoride and fluoride-free eco-friendly toothpaste options, to cater to a range of dental needs. In my search, I’ve even found palm oil-free toothpaste brands and eco-friendly brands that cater to sensitive teeth. Let’s dive in, and brush up on my favourite toothpaste brands!

Ben & Anna

Ben & Anna – available from Ethical Superstore, from £8.95 – make a range of different flavoured eco-friendly toothpaste, catering for a range of differing dental needs.

You’ll find fluoride and fluoride-free options. There’s even whitening toothpaste and toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. What’s more, each is packaged in a recyclable glass jar and cardboard box.

Their effective cruelty-free formulas are made from natural ingredients, such as sea buckthorn, chamomile, activated charcoal, cinnamon, and calcium for strong, shiny teeth and healthy gums. And even better, all of their toothpaste is free from nasties, such as phthalates, parabens, microplastics, SLS, and formaldehyde.

Ben & Anna also make a natural mouthwash (that’s not made from coconut oil) that is also packaged in a glass bottle. See my full guide to eco-friendly mouthwash for all of the details.

Happier

Are dental tablets not your thing? Then check out Happier toothpaste – available at Bower Collective from £4.99. This vegan-friendly and plastic-free toothpaste comes in an old-school aluminium tube.

Whilst aluminium tubes generally aren’t recyclable in the UK – any residue left inside could contaminate other clean recyclables – you can upcycle metal tubes in clever ways. The lid can also be sent back to Happier Beauty, who will wash it, sterilise it and reuse it on future orders.

To help you squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste, you can buy a reusable “Squeeze Key” from Happier. Conveniently, this can also be used on all aluminium tubes, such as my favourite Weleda Skin Food, or even your tomato puree!

Happier is also good for your teeth. Specially formulated for sensitive teeth, it contains papaya enzymes for gentle, natural whitening, vitamin E for gum health, and dentist-approved minerals, including fluoride and hydroxyapatite, to help strengthen enamel. And for that all-important fresh breath, Happier uses 4 different types of natural mint plants to get a fresh 100% natural mint flavour.

All the nasties have been left out, so it’s free from SLS, triclosan, parabens, petrochemicals, colours, artificial flavours, or artificial sweeteners. What’s more, it’s cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Parla

Parla’s eco-friendly toothpaste tablets – available at Bower Collective from £6.95 – are well worth a try if you’re into the idea of tablets. I’ve tried quite a few toothpaste tablet brands, and think these are the best tasting ones I’ve come across.

Founded by three award-winning cosmetic dentists from London, they believe toothpaste should first and foremost protect people’s smiles but not harm people, animals, or the planet in the process.

Their very minty tablets are available in two different-sized glass jars – either as 62 tablets or 248 tablets. And when you need a refill, you can buy a 248-tablet refill that comes in a cardboard box for lower carbon shipping.

Not sure what size would suit you? 62 Tabs is a 1 month’s supply for 1 person brushing twice daily. Meanwhile, 248 Tabs is a 4-month supply for 1 person brushing twice daily.

DENTtabs

DENTtabs teeth cleaning tablets with fluoride are a great eco-friendly alternative to toothpaste. Available at &Keep for £5.95, these tablets are 100% plastic-free, with no preservatives.

These come in a fully home-compostable bag made from corn starch and carry the official home composting certification. When the bag arrives in the post, simply rip it open and pop the toothpaste tablets into one of your own reused jars. Then pop the bag in your composter – no waste!

One bag is equivalent to 2 tubes of toothpaste, and kid’s versions are available too.

Sign up to &Keep’s mailing list and get 10% off your first order, or use the code andkeep5 at the checkout to take 5% off your order.

Georganics

Georganics specialise in natural, sustainable, and ethical dental care. As such, they create plastic-free products that promote good oral health.

Made by hand in the UK, each formula includes locally sourced, organic natural ingredients that are kind to you, your teeth, and the planet.

From refillable jars of toothpaste tablets to tooth soap and toothpowder, their environmentally friendly teeth cleaning range is extensive. Meanwhile, their mouthwash tablets and plastic-free dental floss also promote good oral hygiene, not at the expense of the planet.

What’s more, their vegan-friendly products are free from fluoride, parabens, SLS, SLES, mineral oil, microbeads, phthalates, triclosan, palm oil, and synthetic fragrances.

Prices start from £6.90, at Ethical Superstore. Alternatively, shop directly from Georganics, and take 15% off your order by using the code AWIN15 at the checkout.

Truthpaste

Truthpaste – available from &Keep for £9.95 – is a palm oil-free toothpaste that’s also free from fluoride, SLS/SLES, triclosan, and glycerine. It’s also free from any foaming agents, bleaching agents, colourants, or artificial ingredients. 

Instead, Truthpaste’s vegan-friendly and cruelty-free blend of oils freshens your breath, whilst a 27% xylitol blend helps to protect against decay. 

This eco-friendly toothpaste comes in a glass jar with a metal lid, making it fully recyclable when you’re done.

Use the code andkeep5 at the checkout to take 5% off your order.

Truthtabs

Not to be confused with Truthpaste, Truthtabs (available from Green Tulip, from £4.50) are made by an entirely different company!

Simply pop one or two UK-made Truthtabs into your mouth, bite and brush. Truthtabs foam and clean just like toothpaste. Meanwhile, the fresh Wild Mint flavour leaves your teeth sparkling and your breath fresh.

These come in a cardboard box, which can be decanted into your own glass jar. This saves on packaging, and is lighter to transport, so uses less carbon.

Weleda

Ethical beauty stalwarts Weleda offers this plant-based fluoride-free formulation in a metal tube – available from Big Green Smile for £5.50.

Particularly good for those with delicate gums, the gel formulation gently cares for your teeth and gums. Meanwhile, peppermint and spearmint oils help to keep your breath fresh.

Weleda’s toothpaste is vegan-friendly and has not been tested on animals. What’s more, it’s free from sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and other surfactants, synthetic preservatives, flavours, colourants, and raw materials derived from mineral oils.

What If I Can’t Afford These Eco-Friendly Toothpaste Brands?

All of these eco-friendly toothpaste brands do come at a much higher price point than your average £1 tube of toothpaste.

If they’re out of reach, then you can try to buy toothpaste that comes in a pump, rather than a tube, if this is accessible to you. Recycle Now says that pump-action toothpaste tubes are easier to recycle, and can be placed in your recycling bin if your local authority also collects plastic pots, tubs, and trays.

Looking To Go Even Greener?

If you’re looking to up your sustainability game in the bathroom, I can help!

You can also check out my post on fluoride-free toothpaste brands if you’re looking for more recommendations.