How Zero-Waste Oral Care Can Help Reduce Plastic Waste in 2025

We are fast approaching the end of another calendar year. As we face 2025, many of us are going to resolve to do some things differently. Perhaps one of your resolutions could be transitioning to zero-waste oral care. If you could succeed in doing so, you could contribute to reducing plastic waste.

We already know that plastic waste is a problem in the U.S. More than 90% of our post-consumer plastic ends up in landfills and incinerators. And until science comes up with a viable means of recycling, the best way to combat plastic waste is to simply not produce it. We are doing our part by encouraging consumers to switch to zero-waste oral care.

What It's All About

Zero-waste oral care is not a collection of products. It is not a marketing slogan. Instead, it is an approach to oral hygiene purposely designed to minimize or completely eliminate plastic waste. It's entirely possible to reduce plastic waste and still maintain good oral health. We don't need to generate plastic waste to live healthy lifestyles.

How It Helps Reduce Plastic Waste

The big question is how zero-waste oral care actually impacts plastic waste. Understanding that sustainable alternatives like toothpaste tablets and compostable toothbrushes are designed to replace plastic-laden oral cure products, the impacts are pretty noticeable.

1. Eliminating the Tubes

Perhaps the most profound way in which standard oral care contributes to plastic waste is the production of plastic toothpaste tubes. Toothpaste has been packaged in these tubes for decades. Unfortunately, every empty tube represents plastic waste that ends up in landfills.

A zero-waste approach eliminates plastic tubes by manufacturing toothpaste tablets instead. Toothpaste tablets can be packaged in more environmentally friendly packaging. Options include recyclable packaging and reusable glass containers.

2. Eliminating Plastic Toothbrushes

Second to toothpaste tubes in terms of waste are plastic toothbrushes. Some 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year. That is a lot of plastic. The alternative is the compostable toothbrush, a toothbrush made with natural, biodegradable materials like cornstarch and bamboo.

Make the commitment to switch to compostable toothbrushes and you will never again have to contribute to the plastic waste stream by throwing away a plastic toothbrush. Compostable toothbrushes work just as well but without the negative impacts associated with plastic.

3. Encouraging More Sustainable Packaging Practices

A fundamental principle of the zero-waste trend is changing the way we package things. Here at EcoFam, we are committed to environmentally friendly packaging. You can help us encourage other companies to do likewise by choosing zero-waste oral care.

Every time a consumer commits to zero-waste, it sends a message to manufacturers that reducing harmful packaging is a smart idea. The more people commit to the zero-waste trend, the more manufacturers will be convinced to stop producing environmentally harmful packaging.

4. Reducing Waste in Other Areas

Perhaps the crowning achievement of zero-waste oral care is its ability to change the way people think. If a consumer can switch to zero-waste oral care, then it is possible to apply the same mindset to other areas.

It's possible to set disposable coffee cups aside in favor of their reusable counterparts. It is possible to purchase foods in more environmentally responsible packaging. It is possible to learn to start repairing things rather than throwing them out and buying replacements.

Zero-waste oral care could be the start of a whole new journey for you. As we approach 2025, we hope you'll consider making the switch to zero-waste toothpaste tablets, compostable toothbrushes, and mouthwash products. You will be helping reduce plastic waste if you do.