11 ZERO WASTE FLOSS BRANDS & ECO-FRIENDLY FLOSS ALTERNATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DENTAL CARE
Make your dental care routine more sustainable with these 11 zero waste floss brands and eco-friendly floss alternatives.
According to the American Dental Association, we should be flossing our teeth once a day to remove plaque and food particles.
While conventional floss is an amazing product that helps us maintain good dental hygiene, it’s also very unsustainable.
It’s a single-use product made of plastic that also contains lots of harmful chemicals.
So, should we sacrifice our dental hygiene because conventional floss is not great for the environment and our overall health?
Thankfully not!
In this article, I share with you 11 zero waste floss brands and eco-friendly floss alternatives.
Thanks to them, you’ll be able to keep your teeth and gums healthy without harming the environment!
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Why we should switch to zero waste floss and eco-friendly floss alternatives
Conventional floss is usually made from nylon, a petroleum-based material.
The problem with that is that nylon cannot be recycled or composted, and needs to be thrown away.
It means that the thread (and the plastic handle if you use floss picks) will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years.
In the meantime, it will pollute the local environment and potentially harm wildlife.
Not only that but since it’s made from petroleum, using conventional floss supports the oil industry, which contributes to pollution and climate change.
The container floss comes packaged in is also usually made of plastic, which increases the floss’ environmental impact.
As if that wasn’t enough, most brands also coat their floss with chemicals to make it glide easily between your teeth and taste better.
Many of those, such as PFAS, synthetic wax, SLS, glycerin, and artificial sweeteners, are incredibly bad for our health!
Read more:
What to look for when buying zero waste floss and eco-friendly floss alternatives?
While not flossing at all may be the most eco-friendly option, I don’t recommend going that route if you want healthy teeth and gums.
There are many sustainable options on the market, including brands selling zero waste floss.
Their floss is produced from biodegradable materials, which you can then put in your compost.
Zero waste floss is usually made from bamboo or silk, but there are also options made of wheat or corn straw.
If you opt for silk, try to choose peace silk, or in other words, silk made when the cocoon was already emptied.
These sustainable brands also make their floss using natural, non-toxic ingredients such as plant-based wax and essential oils.
Plus, they usually offer package-free floss refills, or floss packaged in a reusable stainless steel container or glass jar.
If you prefer using floss picks, don’t worry as there are great biodegradable options as well!
In this article, you’ll also find a couple of reusable floss options.
They’re some of the best eco-friendly floss alternatives, particularly if you don’t have a compost at home!
Read more:
11 zero waste floss brands & eco-friendly floss alternatives for sustainable dental care
8 zero waste floss brands you’ll love
1. Public Goods
Materials: Silk
Public Goods is a sustainable marketplace that offers great zero waste floss packaged in a small glass bottle.
It’s made from silk and coated with all-natural candelilla wax to help it glide comfortably between your teeth.
It also contains peppermint oil to give it a pleasant flavor, and the floss is very gentle on your gums.
What’s more, it’s 100% biodegradable and free of harmful substances like synthetic fragrances, SLS, phthalates, formaldehyde, and parabens.
Once you have the glass bottle it comes with, you can then choose to only order refills going forward.
(They’re more affordable)
Every shipment is carbon offset, and the company donates its near-expired products to people in need and plants trees in partnership with a nonprofit.
SHOP PUBLIC GOODS ZERO WASTE FLOSS
2. Zero Waste Store
Materials: Bamboo Charcoal, Silk
Zero Waste Store sells two biodegradable flosses, one made of silk and the other from bamboo charcoal.
The great thing about its silk floss is that the silk thread is cruelty-free as it is taken once the cocoon is emptied.
It doesn’t contain any preservatives, sweeteners, or artificial coloring.
If you prefer to get a vegan option, the brand has you covered with its bamboo floss.
The bamboo fibers are coated in charcoal to help whiten your teeth.
Both flosses are coated in candelilla wax and infused with organic peppermint oil, so your mouth will feel fresh and clean after use!
They also come packaged in a glass jar with a metal lid and you can buy refills for both of them.
Zero Waste Store offers plastic-free and carbon-neutral shipping and is a member of 1% For The Planet.
Plus, it regularly makes donations to different wildlife and conservation groups!
SHOP ZERO WASTE STORE ZERO WASTE FLOSS
3. Tree Bird
Materials: Bamboo Charcoal, Silk
Tree Bird’s biodegradable floss is available in two versions: one made from pure peace silk and the other from bamboo.
Both are waxed with candelilla wax and flavored with mint essential oil.
They’re made without artificial fragrances and colors as well as any of the nasty substances we typically find in traditional nylon floss.
The bamboo floss also contains activated charcoal, which is known for its natural cleaning properties.
Tree Bird sells its flosses either as refills or packaged in a glass bottle or stainless steel container.
Made of recycled kraft paper with soy-based inks, the product packaging is also compostable!
SHOP TREE BIRD ZERO WASTE FLOSS
4. By Humankind
Materials: Silk
By Humankind creates sustainable personal care products that are refillable so we can reduce waste.
Made in Italy, its silk floss is infused with vegetable wax for easy gliding between your teeth and contains jojoba oil to help soothe and moisturize your gums.
You can choose between two flavors: peppermint or cardamon, both of which are obtained from essential oils.
The brand offers you to buy it as refills or with a durable, refillable glass container protected with a silicone top.
Its practical design makes it very convenient to refill and rethread your floss.
By Humankind’s floss is spun around a sugarcane-based bioplastic spool, and the refills are shipped in a compostable pouch.
The silk thread is 100% biodegradable, yet it’s strong and high-quality.
I also love that the company offsets 100% of its carbon footprint!
SHOP BY HUMANKIND ZERO WASTE FLOSS
5. RADIUS
Materials: Silk
RADIUS is a women-owned business that makes sustainable oral care products, including vegan and non-vegan floss.
I highly recommend its vegan floss options as they’re completely free of PFAS and other toxic chemicals.
Unfortunately, the thread is made of nylon, so it’s not zero waste and needs to be thrown away after use.
If you want a zero-waste option, the brand has two different silk flosses that are biodegradable and made with carnauba plant wax.
These aren’t formulated with any nasty substances either, and one of them contains erythritol to help fight cavities.
Both are packaged in 100% plastic-free, recyclable packaging.
RADIUS’ Anywhere Floss is the perfect floss for when you’re traveling or on the go as it comes in convenient biodegradable sachets.
Plus, the silk thread is handspun in a Fair Trade co-op in Columbia.
Did I mention RADIUS is B Corp Certified?
It means that it meets some of the strictest social and environmental standards!
6. Me Mother Earth
Materials: Bamboo Charcoal
Me Mother Earth is on a mission to provide us with plastic-free oral care and bathroom products.
It has a great biodegradable floss made of bamboo charcoal fiber, which is 100% vegan.
You can get it as refills or with a gorgeous floss container made of either bamboo, stainless steel, or glass.
This floss is formulated with natural candelilla wax and peppermint essential oil and is very soothing to your gums.
It also breaks down in approximately 60 to 90 days when composted and comes in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.
What’s more, you’ll love that Me Mother Earth donates 10% of its profits to environmental and ocean conservation nonprofits!
SHOP ME MOTHER EARTH ZERO WASTE FLOSS
7. EcoRoots
Materials: Bamboo Charcoal
EcoRoots offers eco-friendly beauty, health, and household products, all of which are vegan, cruelty-free, and made in small batches using sustainable ingredients.
It has some of the best eco-friendly floss alternatives on the market!
Its floss, available in refills or a refillable glass container, is made from organic bamboo fiber with activated charcoal.
It also contains candelilla plant wax, organic peppermint oil, and organic tea tree oil.
It’s completely free of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and colorings.
EcoRoots’s packaging is also 100% plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable.
The brand even donates a portion of its annual sales to environmental organizations such as Ocean Conservancy.
SHOP ECOROOTS ZERO WASTE FLOSS
8. BAMBO Earth
Materials: Corn Straw, Bamboo Charcoal, Silk
BAMBO Earth sells three great flosses, including two made from bamboo charcoal and silk.
But what sets this brand apart from most others is that it also offers floss made from 100% high-quality corn straw thread.
All three flosses are waxed with candelilla wax, so they’re designed to easily glide and clean your teeth.
They also contain natural mint flavor, meaning they’ll leave your mouth with a fresh minty feeling.
They come either package-free or in a little glass jar with a metal lid.
BAMBO Earth also sells compostable floss picks made from corn and wheat straw.
These are super strong and perfect if you’re looking for zero waste floss picks!
SHOP BAMBO EARTH ZERO WASTE FLOSS
Biodegradable floss picks as an eco-friendly floss alternative
If you prefer using floss picks to clean in between your teeth, consider switching to biodegradable floss picks.
Traditional floss picks are made of plastic and are meant to be thrown away immediately after one use.
This creates a huge amount of waste in the long run.
On the other hand, biodegradable floss picks are compostable and they’ll disappear within a matter of weeks/months.
Just make sure the thread is also biodegradable because many “sustainable” options aren’t actually 100% biodegradable as their thread is made of plastic.
9. SmartLifeCo’s biodegradable floss picks
Some of the best eco-friendly floss picks are those sold by the brand SmartLifeCo.
Completely plastic-free, their ergonomic handle is made of straw wheat, which requires less material to produce than corn-based handles.
The product is USDA BioBased certified, and both the handle and thread are 100% biodegradable.
You can also get the same floss picks but formulated with activated charcoal to whiten your teeth.
The brand’s floss picks feature a very thin thread that is perfect for sensitive gums and tight teeth.
It’s also waxed with candelilla wax to make it easy to glide between your teeth.
What’s more, they’re made to last, do not shred, and will leave a pleasant (natural) minty flavor in your mouth.
SmartLifeCo also plants a tree for every order, and its floss picks are free of PFAS and BPA.
SHOP SMARTLIFECO ECO-FRIENDLY FLOSS ALTERNATIVES
Does a reusable floss pick or floss exist?
I’ve seen some reusable floss pick options made from stainless steel.
However, I’m not sure whether they’re actually good for our teeth.
If you like floss picks, you still have the option to use biodegradable floss with a stainless steel reusable floss holder like this one.
However, if you want something more practical, the best zero waste floss and reusable floss pick alternative is a water flosser.
10. Quip’s eco-friendly floss alternatives
The brand Quip has a great rechargeable cordless water flosser made from plastic or metal.
It features a large, easy-to-fill reservoir and a 360° rotating magnetic tip that helps reach every nook and cranny in your mouth.
You can choose between two pressure modes and two water flow options.
Its battery lasts up to 8 weeks when used daily, so there’s no need to charge it regularly.
11. COSLUS’ eco-friendly floss alternatives
Here is another great brand selling a rechargeable, cordless water flosser.
COSLUS’ flosser delivers high water pressure pulses that help remove dental plaque for a deep teeth-cleaning experience.
It also massages the gums and helps prevent bad breath and other dental issues.
It features three convenient modes, five interchangeable nozzles, an ergonomic handle, and a large water tank.
Plus, it’s waterproof and its battery lasts 30 days without needing to recharge it.
Final thoughts on zero waste floss and eco-friendly floss alternatives
I hope you’ve found this article about zero waste floss and eco-friendly floss alternatives helpful and that you could find the perfect product for your dental care routine.
If you’ve opted for biodegradable floss or floss picks, remember to compost them after use.
And if you’ve bought a reusable option, try to take proper care of it so it lasts for years.
If you liked this article, you might enjoy the following ones as well:
- 19 essentials for a zero-waste bathroom
- 9 eco-friendly loofah alternatives for a sustainable scrub
- 10 sustainable & clean skincare brands for a healthy glow
- 8 eco-friendly, non-toxic shower curtains & liners
What is your favorite zero waste floss brand?
Please leave a comment!
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find eco-friendly floss alternatives too.
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