When people think about clean toothpaste, they usually zero in on the ingredients list. Fluoride or no fluoride, whitening agents, harsh abrasives like SLS, the list goes on. But there’s a hidden part of the equation that’s easy to overlook: the tube itself.
When you squeeze a dollop of toothpaste onto your brush, you probably don’t think twice about the container it came in. But maybe you should. Most traditional toothpaste tubes aren’t just made of harmless plastic. They’re a cocktail of petroleum-based plastics, hidden metals, and industrial adhesives—many of which are nearly impossible to recycle and can pose risks to your health and the environment.
Below, we’re breaking down exactly what’s inside your average toothpaste tube, and why Better & Better’s sugarcane-based tubes are a cleaner, smarter swap for you and the planet.
What Are Toothpaste Tubes Made Of?
While some toothpaste formulas have gotten cleaner over the years, the tubes haven’t always kept up. Many major brands still rely on outdated materials and manufacturing shortcuts that come with hidden costs.
Here’s what you’re really holding every time you brush:
1. Petroleum-Based Plastic
That slick, squeezable feel you’re used to? It comes from petroleum-derived plastic. While it’s great for keeping your toothpaste fresh and pliable, it’s terrible for the planet. This type of plastic can take hundreds of years to break down—if it ever does. That means every tube you’ve ever tossed probably still exists somewhere, sitting in a landfill or worse, polluting waterways.
2. BPA
Cheap toothpaste tubes can be lined or coated with BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical compound is often used to make plastics flexible and durable. Unfortunately, BPA is also notorious for acting as a hormone disruptor, interfering with the body’s endocrine system and potentially causing a ripple effect of health concerns over time.
It’s the same stuff people avoid in plastic water bottles and food containers—yet many toothpaste tubes still contain it.
3. Industrial Adhesives
Ever wonder how toothpaste tubes stay leakproof, even after you roll, squeeze, and twist them? Most brands bond multiple layers of plastic, foil, or other materials together using industrial adhesives. These glues do the job—keeping your toothpaste stable and contained—but they come at a cost.
Over time, these adhesives can break down, leaching trace chemicals into your trash or recycling stream. Even worse? These adhesive layers make the tubes nearly impossible to separate for proper recycling.
4. Aluminum
It’s not always obvious, but many toothpaste tubes have a hidden layer of aluminum sandwiched between layers of plastic. This thin metallic film helps keep the toothpaste stable by blocking light and air. Good for shelf life, but terrible for recyclability.
Most local recycling facilities simply can’t process these mixed-material tubes, so they’re tossed straight into landfills, where they’ll sit for centuries. According to estimates, over 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year—enough to circle the globe multiple times.
Are Toothpaste Tubes Really Recyclable?
You might see “recyclable” printed on some toothpaste packaging, but the reality is disappointing. Because traditional tubes are made with multiple bonded layers (plastic, aluminum, adhesives), they can’t be easily separated and recycled.
Even when companies claim recyclability, the actual recycling rate for toothpaste tubes is dismally low. Most municipal recycling programs reject them outright because they gum up machinery and cost too much to process.
Bottom line: Despite good intentions, the vast majority of toothpaste tubes end up as permanent landfill residents.
Sugarcane Tubes: Better for Your Health (and the Planet’s Health)
You deserve a toothpaste tube that’s as clean as the toothpaste inside it. That’s why Better & Better tubes are made from sustainably sourced sugarcane, a renewable resource that drastically reduces your carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based plastic.
Our sugarcane tubes are BPA-free, so you don’t have to worry about hormone disruptors lurking in your bathroom cabinet. They’re also recyclable and carbon neutral, meaning they won’t stick around for centuries once you’re done brushing.
Whether you want the natural cavity-fighting power of Fortify or a fluoride-free kids' toothpaste your little one actually loves, every Better & Better formula comes in a sugarcane-based tube you can feel good about.
A Small Swap, A Big Difference
At Better & Better, we believe your toothpaste should be clean from the inside out. No unnecessary chemicals. No wasteful packaging. Just a better way to brush that’s good for you and the planet. So next time you brush, take a closer look at what’s inside your tube—and what the tube itself is made of. Brushing better really does start with a smarter squeeze.
