We have had a great 2024 here at EcoFam. As we turn the page to 2025, it seems that eco-friendly oral care is a hot commodity. Every time we turn around there is a new company or media organization promoting the very same types of eco-friendly and zero-waste products we sell.
We welcome the competition. Still, we wonder why all the attention has come about so suddenly. Just a few years ago, eco-friendly oral care was a niche product category. Today it is mainstream. We couldn't be happier, but we still wonder why the switch seemed to flip so suddenly.
A little research revealed five possible reasons eco-friendly oral care is hot right now:
1. Increased Consumer Awareness
Consumer awareness regarding all things eco-friendly and sustainable has been gradually rising over the last few years. Consumers not only know more, but they are also going out of their way to learn more. And the more people learn about sustainability and protecting the environment, the more they want to participate.
Transitioning to an eco-friendly oral care routine probably seems like a drop in the bucket considering everything we are up against. But every little bit helps. That is something else consumers are more aware of these days.
2. Growing Professional Support
Awareness among dental professionals has helped quite a bit. So much so that many are now supporting an eco-friendly mindset by directly recommending products like toothpaste tablets, mouthwash tablets, and biodegradable toothbrushes.
Organizations like the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA) even encourage dentists to establish eco-friendly practices. With the support of the dental profession behind us, companies like ours are finding it easier to reach consumers with our message of eco-friendly oral care.
3. New Technologies
Apart from things like plastic-free toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets in glass packaging, some new technologies are helping to further promote the idea of eco-friendly oral care. Digital radiography and LED teeth whitening are just two examples of technology-based dental procedures that contribute to sustainability by consuming less energy. Patients benefit further by being exposed to fewer chemicals.
4. Affordability and Pricing
A primary concern in our industry has long been pricing. Without mass market appeal, eco-friendly oral care products need to be manufactured in smaller batches. That increases manufacturing costs on a per-unit basis. Higher manufacturing costs equal higher retail prices.
Fortunately, prices come down as eco-friendly oral care products catch on. The more product a company like ours sells, the more we can manufacture in a single lot. Manufacturing costs are reduced, giving us the ability to adjust pricing models.
In short, eco-friendly oral care has become more affordable at the retail level. We can now sell a plastic-free toothbrush for less than $4. And that is just one example. Eco-friendly oral care is now within reach of most families. That makes it more attractive.
5. Community Engagement
Last but not least, both dental professionals and industry leaders are actively engaging with communities to raise awareness about eco-friendly oral care. From spreading the word about eco-friendly dental practices to encouraging consumers to use products like plastic-free toothbrushes and natural mouthwash tablets, the engagement is paying off. We see it in our own bottom line here at EcoFam.
Full disclosure dictates acknowledging that eco-friendly oral care is our core business. But it is more than just a way for us to make money. To the EcoFam family, eco-friendly oral care is about helping people maintain good oral health while simultaneously making an effort to be eco-friendlier and more sustainable. It is possible to do both with emerging eco-friendly oral care products.
