Zero-Waste Oral Care Defining Principles and Daily Implementation

EcoFam was founded on the principle of zero-waste oral care. It is central to our mission of providing high-quality oral care products that help families meet their individual sustainability goals. We firmly believe in the zero-waste principle and its applicability to the daily routines of average Americans.

We also believe it is important to educate our customers about the zero-waste principle. There is so much misinformation that it's possible to claim to be a zero-waste company without actually promoting the concept fully. We do not intend to do that. We aim to practice what we preach.

5 Core Principles of Zero-Waste

Achieving a 100% zero-waste culture and economy is technically impossible. All human activity produces waste of some sort. It is unavoidable. But zero-waste tries to reduce waste as much as possible. We certainly don't have to generate waste unnecessarily.

Zero-waste oral care is just one component of a much larger and broader concept built on five core principles:

1. Refuse

A zero-waste lifestyle begins with refusing what you do not need. Instead of purchasing things just for the sake of doing so, you purchase only what you need to maintain your lifestyle. Refusing excess reduces the chance that something you buy today will end up as waste weeks or months down the road just because you are not actually using it.

In a culture of excess, we generate far more waste than we need to simply because we never say 'no' to anything. Yet learning to refuse the excess instantly cuts down on the amount of waste we generate.

2. Reduce

Hand-in-hand with refusing excess is reducing what we purchase. For example, you need toothpaste. But you can reduce the amount you purchase by switching from tubed toothpaste to toothpaste tablets. Toothpaste tablets require less packaging and less fuel to transport because water has been taken out of the equation.

3. Reuse

Next up is reusing items rather than throwing them away. You can reuse the glass jars that hold our toothpaste tablets as storage receptacles. You can use them to make homemade candles and soaps. If something breaks, fix it rather than throwing it away. And if you have an item that you cannot reuse as it is, there may be ways to repurpose it.

4. Recycle

The recycling component is something we are all familiar with. A big part of the zero-waste lifestyle is recycling paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and electronics. Recycling keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills and incinerators. It also reduces the need to lean so heavily on virgin replacements.

5. Rot (compost)

The final core principle is composting organic material. Rather than throwing away food scraps and yard waste, create a compost pile. As organic material rots, it returns to the soil. Compost can be used in flower beds and to fertilize the lawn.

Practical Applications for Daily Life

Zero-waste's core principles are easy enough to understand. The main challenge for many consumers is figuring out ways to implement them in their daily routines. The good news is that a little imagination can make the core principles reality. Here are some examples in the oral care space:

1. Compostable Toothbrushes

Most toothbrushes on the market today have plastic handles. Unfortunately, the particular type of plastic used in this case is not easily recycled. What do we do with plastic toothbrushes when they reach end-of-life? We throw them in the trash.

A zero-waste alternative is the compostable toothbrush. Its handle is made of biodegradable materials like bamboo or cornstarch. So even when the toothbrush is thrown into the trash, its handle will break down and return to the soil in the landfill.

2. Toothpaste and Mouthwash Tablets

Switching from traditional toothpaste and mouthwash to similar products in tablet form is one of the most effective ways to practice zero-waste oral care. Both toothpaste and mouthwash tablets are produced without water. That's okay because you can add the water yourself.

Tablet forms are easier to package and transport. They eliminate the need for plastic tubes in bottles. And because higher volumes can be packed and shipped in the same amount of space, toothpaste and mouthwash tablets do not require as much fuel to ship.

3. Homemade and Mouthwash Concentrates

Consumers who prefer liquid mouthwash can reduce waste by using either homemade or mouthwash concentrates. A homemade mouthwash is easy enough to make with ingredients like salt, peppermint, diluted hydrogen peroxide, and herbal infusions.

Liquid mouthwash concentrate contains less water than traditional mouthwash. You get more per bottle while adding the water at home. And when you choose mouthwash concentrate from EcoFam, it will be shipped in a fully recyclable bottle that doesn't have to be thrown in the trash.

4. Managing Water Consumption

Zero-waste oral care might rely quite a bit on the products you choose to buy, but it extends to other areas as well. Take water consumption. Allowing the water to run while you brush your teeth amounts to wasting water. Try leaving the water off until you are ready to rinse. You might be surprised to learn how much water you save over the course of a year.

A Mindset and a Lifestyle

Whether you are looking to implement zero-waste oral care or are on board with the broader zero-waste principle, know this: you are looking at both a mindset and a lifestyle.

The mindset says that you will not generate waste unnecessarily. You're going to look for ways to reduce waste whenever and wherever possible. The lifestyle portion involves implementing zero-waste solutions into your daily routine. By practicing them daily, you are not just talking about zero-waste. You are actually living it.

Waste is unavoidable to some extent. It is a product of human activity. But zero-waste oral care is built on the principle that we can reduce the amount of waste we generate from brushing our teeth and freshening our breath. We can achieve zero-waste. But it takes a concerted effort to learn about and implement zero-waste solutions.

FAQ

What makes a compostable toothbrush zero-waste friendly?

The biodegradable material of the handle of a compostable toothbrush quickly breaks down in the landfill.

How do toothpaste tablets reduce waste?

Toothpaste tablets can be packaged in recyclable containers rather than plastic tubes. Get rid of the tube, and you reduce waste.

What is the zero-waste advantage of mouthwash concentrate?

Concentrates have significantly less water. Therefore, we can ship more fluid ounces with no need to increase packaging capacity or fuel.

What if I have no use for the packages my EcoFam products come in?

Because EcoFam believes in zero-waste oral care, we ensure that all our packaging is fully recyclable. Recycle packages with the rest of your curbside materials.

Do zero-waste oral care products work as well as my current choices?

Yes, all zero-waste oral care products from EcoFam work as well or better than their traditionally prepared and packaged counterparts. We do not compromise on quality.