The Great Toothpaste Overdose

You might thinking who is overdosing on toothpaste and why, that’s not the kind of overdosing I’m talking about. The great toothpaste overdose I’m talking about is the one created by the large mainstream companies. They have you believe that you need so much toothpaste through their marketing imagery. I’m sure you have seen the ads in print, on TV or in digital format that have a massive squirt or beed of toothpaste. Just look up toothpaste images and see what I mean.

Why is it Toothpaste overdosing

Since at least the 1950’s the marketing imagery has shown a massive squirt of toothpaste on every brush in every ad. Why am I calling it overdosing? Because no one needs that much toothpaste ever. Think about it for a second, most of the toothpaste on your brush gets spat out in the first 20 seconds of brushing. On a subconscious level, we put on the amount that we are used to seeing in advertising and without thinking we spit it all down the drain within seconds.

Why have the companies been promoting overdosing if you don’t need it, well that’s pretty simple. The more you use, the more they sell. The business model of toothpaste is getting customer to come back and buy more. The more you spit down the drain, the more you buy and the more they make.

Marketing genius if you ask me.

Why is Toothpaste Overdosing an Issue

You might be asking, why is this even an issue? Well that’s pretty simple it all comes down to waste.

The wasted toothpaste that gets spat down the drain and the waste of the ubiquitous plastic tubes that end up in the trash.

Globally, approximately 1.5 to 20 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away annually. Most of these tubes aren’t recycled, often taking over 500 years to decompose in landfills.

How Can I Help?

First, use less toothpaste. You will create less waste and you will save money at the same time, win-win. “But I want fresh smelling breath” Easy, start with a little, brush it everywhere you want it before spitting anything out, then brush for your recommended two minutes. If it doesn’t feel like enough, add a bit for your last passes. Get the same fresh breath without spitting so much down the drain. I can guarantee you will waste less and need to buy less.

Next, look for toothpaste in more environmentally friendly containers. My favourites come in glass containers or aluminium tubes. Both are easily recyclable at the end of their use. Toothpaste in aluminium tubes if often nicer than the average stuff and it is easy to squeeze out. Glass jars require you to dip your brush and can sometimes be refilled at your local zero waste refillery. Bonus, the jars are a nice size for re-use before recycling.

I have also seen tubes made of compostable bio plastics, they look and feel like average toothpaste tubes but they won’t take 500 plus years to decompose.

For a truly zero waste solution, you can make your own toothpaste but this isn’t for everyone. Here is a link to a recipe if you like.

Toothpaste Overdose Wrap Up

In the end, the great toothpaste overdose is a trick to keep you buying more and more toothpaste while keeping their profits high. Now that you see through their marketing, make a difference by using less and by buying better products in better packaging.

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Thanks for reading,

Pat