Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by
Have you ever wondered if your dental care routine could be more than a bright smile? With plastic pollution rising, it’s time to ponder: Are traditional floss sticks adding to the problem?
Studies have found that over 4.7 billion plastic floss picks are discarded annually. Therefore, embracing sustainable dental care isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity. For this, we have biodegradable floss, the hero of green dental hygiene!
This guide will delve into 10 eco-friendly alternatives that put the planet first. From bamboo dental products, floss picks to compostable options, discover how to achieve that perfect smile while leaving no impact on Earth. Let’s practice environment-friendly oral care!

List of 10 Eco-Friendly Alternatives
To adopt green dental hygiene, you must stick to eco-friendly dental products. Let’s explore the top 10 eco-friendly floss sticks you can use instead of the traditional ones!
1. Bamboo Floss Sticks
While Crafted from renewable and eco-friendly materials, bamboo floss addresses the growing concerns surrounding plastic waste and its adverse environmental impact. Unlike its plastic counterpart, which has languished in landfills for years, bamboo floss is designed to minimize its ecological footprint.
Benefits
- One notable feature of bamboo floss is the infusion of activated charcoal, a distinctive ingredient that lends the floss its distinctive black hue. Beyond aesthetics, the porous nature of activated charcoal offers a natural ability to trap odors and toxins concealed between teeth, enhancing its effectiveness as a cleaning agent.
- As a rapidly renewable resource, bamboo matures in a mere 1 to 5 years, in stark contrast to the prolonged growth cycle of trees used for traditional flossing materials.
- Additionally, bamboo forests play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and replenishing the atmosphere with oxygen, contributing to a healthier environment on a larger scale.
- Many bamboo floss products embrace organic wax infused with natural ingredients such as peppermint oil or candelilla wax, in contrast to the often toxic chemicals in conventional options.
Where to Buy

Terra & Co. presents a holistic oral care range rooted in Ayurvedic traditions, promoting enamel strength, teeth whitening, and pH balance. Mindful packaging reflects a commitment to nature’s harmony.
Price range: $25-$30
Certifications: PETA verified, FSC verified
Sustainability features: 100% recyclable, plastic-free shipping

Mother Earth’s offerings diminish plastic dependency, featuring biodegradable materials and user-friendly reusability. Simplifying lives, these products embody sustainability while nurturing our planet’s well-being.
Price range: Around $13
Certifications: Leaping Bunny
Sustainability features: 100% recyclable or compostable and plastic-free

Lucky Teeth prioritizes natural, recognizable ingredients, echoing ancestral remedies. Void of preservatives, fillers, or complex components, their formula harks back to centuries-old wellness wisdom.
Price range: around $10
Sustainability features: Comes in eco friendly glass jars that are refillable
2. Silk-based Floss
Fully biodegradable and compostable, silk dental floss starkly contrasts traditional plastic floss, which contributes to the plastic waste crisis and environmental degradation. While Derived from the silken cocoons of silkworms, this natural material serves its purpose effectively and has the remarkable ability to break down, leaving no trace behind completely.
Benefits
- Traditional floss, made from nylon, a plastic derived from crude oil, undergoes an energy-intensive chemical process that involves significant water usage, leading to potential contamination and pollution. In stark contrast, silk dental floss takes a more sustainable route.
- Using candelilla wax, a natural vegetable wax, for coating ensures smooth gliding between teeth without compromising health or environmental concerns.
- This plant-based alternative sidesteps harmful chemicals like perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly found in some flosses and associated with potential health risks.
Where to Buy

SaveMoneyCutCarbon offers a planet-friendly choice with 100% plastic-free, biodegradable dental floss. Crafted from silk, it maintains remarkable strength while naturally decomposing and being compostable, an eco-conscious alternative.
Price range: $4
Sustainability features: Reduces single-use plastic and landfill waste

TreeBird champions eco-conscious oral care, fostering impactful change through sustainable dental products. Vibrant compostable toothbrushes and refreshing silk floss embody their commitment to dental hygiene that respects the planet.
Price range: $18
Sustainability features: Compostable paper used in packaging

Radius’ Silk Anywhere Floss™ eliminates plastic waste, replacing it with biodegradable single-use flosses. Ideal for home or travel, it leaves no ecological trace, epitomizing their commitment to sustainable oral care.
Price range: $4
Certifications: USDA Organic, PETA verified
Sustainability features: 100% biodegradable and free of glutens, preservatives, artificial sweeteners
3. Plant-based Plastic Floss Sticks
Since they are Crafted from organically grown natural plant fibers, plant-based plastic floss picks present a holistic solution that embraces sustainability from start to finish. The distinguishing factor of these floss picks is their biodegradability, ensuring that the handle and thread can be composted at the end of their lifecycle, enriching the soil as natural fertilizers for new plant growth.
Benefits
- Unlike their petroleum-based counterparts, these floss picks are designed to leave no lasting impact on the environment. The utilization of organic Nylon-4 thread, coupled with biodegradable PLA (Polylactic Acid) handles, results in a dental hygiene tool that is effective and leaves behind no traces of harmful plastics that persist for generations.
- PLA, derived from renewable sources like sugar cane and corn starch, stands as a testament to the potential of bioplastics – natural resources harnessed for everyday use with the remarkable ability to break down over time.
- By choosing these floss picks, you contribute to a reduction in the demand for petroleum-based plastics, helping to conserve precious resources for generations to come.
Where to Buy

SmartLife Eco presents a 100% compostable dental floss pick, boasting an ultra-thin thread for precision in tight spaces and gentle care for sensitive teeth. Suitable for all, including kids aged 3+.
Price range: $16
Certifications: PETA verified
Sustainability features: 100% compostable

PlanetNatura empowers eco-conscious living with value and purpose. Facilitating a shift toward zero-plastic homes, they curate sustainable, ethical choices that align with the planet’s well-being, fostering positive impact and conscious consumption.
Price range: $4-$5.50
Sustainability features: Recyclable packaging, 100% vegan

TheHumbleCo introduces plant-based floss picks crafted from cornstarch, simplifying flossing. Mint-flavored double threading enhances debris removal, while robust, reusable material ensures durability, promoting eco-friendly dental care.
Price range: $4
Certifications: Vegan certified
Sustainability features: Recyclable packaging
4. Refillable Floss Dispensers
Refillable floss dispensers are engineered for longevity, ensuring your flossing experience remains uninterrupted and thorough. While Crafted to withstand the rigors of daily use, their durability reduces the likelihood of breakage between teeth, guaranteeing a consistently fresh and effective clean every time.
Benefits
- Housed in thoughtfully designed glass and aluminum dispensers, they champion a plastic-free approach that minimizes waste. With the refillable nature of the dispenser, the benefits extend beyond the floss itself.
- The dispenser’s longevity pairs seamlessly with refill options, simplifying your oral care routine and actively reducing packaging waste for future shopping trips.
- The appeal of refillable floss dispensers extends to their commitment to values like vegan-friendliness, gluten-free formulation, and being completely plastic-free. It aligns with the growing demand for products that cater to diverse preferences and sensitivities while remaining kind to the environment.
Where to Buy

EcoVibe presents a refillable glass dispenser with 30 meters of robust, cornstarch-based, peppermint-flavored floss. Coated in plant-based Candelilla wax, it offers eco-friendly oral care with natural peppermint oil.
Price range: $4
Certifications: FSC-certified paper
Sustainability features: Plastic-free packaging
5. Stainless Steel Floss Dispensers
Purposefully Crafted for longevity, these dispensers stand as a testament to sustainability by offering a reusable option for a lifetime. The choice of stainless steel exudes a sleek and modern aesthetic and ensures that your flossing routine remains steadfast and reliable over the years.
Benefits
- Accompanied by regular dental floss made from PLA (Polylactic Acid), these dispensers introduce a compostable element to your oral care regimen.
- Additionally, this floss can degrade in a home compost environment under favorable conditions, provided there’s ample heat, moisture, and time.
- They exemplify a commitment to a zero-waste mindset by embracing reusability, eliminating the need for single-use plastic options that often end up in landfills or oceans.
- The longevity of these dispensers not only reduces the strain on natural resources but exemplifies responsible consumerism, embodying the principle of “buy once, use forever.”
Where to Buy

Bambaw offers vegan dental floss, refillable and coated with candelilla wax. With a stainless steel dispenser, it embodies zero waste and sustainability, providing plastic-free, biodegradable mint-flavored flossing.
Price range: $9
Sustainability features: Plastic free packaging
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