While many of us have made the switch to bamboo toothbrushes, one thing we haven't considered yet is that most toothpaste tubes aren't eco-friendly.
1.5 billion tubes of toothpaste end up in landfills every year, and despite companies like Terracycle having an oral care recycling program, unless you have a drop-off point near you, it's not the most convenient solution.
One company might have come up with the answer to this issue. UK dental brand Happier Beauty has developed the world's first refillable toothpaste dispenser.
The dispenser will hit the market in spring of 2022, and it was developed thanks to a Smart Innovate Grant of £150,000 (203,918.25 in U.S dollars).
The company already has its own brand of 100% recyclable toothpaste, which comes in an aluminum tube with a plastic lid (that can be sent back for reuse). It's vegan and cruelty-free, but they wanted to create a more circular solution to reduce their carbon footprint even further.
Made of aluminum and 50% recycled plastic, the toothpaste dispenser works just like a traditional toothpaste pump and can be used numerous times. The refill capsules, which can be delivered to your home with a subscription service, are also zero waste.
In addition, each capsule is biodegradable, so it can be added to your green waste bin or compost heap.
"It is becoming clear that recycling will not save us from the climate crisis, and so Happier Beauty wanted to take it one step further by creating a truly circular refillable and reusable solution," says Faye Wilson, Founder of Happier Beauty.
