The average person uses around six toothpaste tubes per year. That is six tubes per person heading straight to landfill, because most toothpaste tubes are made from a combination of plastic and aluminium that standard recycling facilities cannot process.
Upcycling gives those empty tubes a second use instead of adding to household waste. These three simple projects turn something you would normally discard into something practical for your home or desk.
Most toothpaste tubes are manufactured using a laminate of plastic and aluminium layers. This combination makes them flexible and airtight, which is ideal for preserving toothpaste, but it also means most council kerbside recycling programmes cannot process them.
| Tube Type | Recyclable at Kerbside? | Better Options |
|---|---|---|
| **Standard laminate tube** | No, in most UK councils | Upcycle, or use TerraCycle drop-off points |
| **All-plastic tube** | Sometimes, check your council | Rinse thoroughly, remove cap, recycle if accepted |
| **Aluminium tube** | Yes, in most councils | Flatten, rinse and recycle with metals |
Some toothpaste brands have started producing fully recyclable tubes, but the majority of tubes currently in UK bathrooms are the laminate type. Until recycling infrastructure catches up, upcycling is a practical alternative.
This is the simplest project and takes less than ten minutes.
What you need:
How to make it:
1. Stand a pen against the tube and mark a line at roughly three-quarters of the pen’s height. Cut the tube across this line on the capped end.
2. Wrap your fabric around the outside of the cut tube, overlapping the top edge by about an inch. Cut the fabric to size and glue it in place.
3. If using ribbon, wrap it around the top of the fabric loosely enough that you can still reach inside. Glue the ribbon in place.
4. Place your pens and pencils inside. Tie the ribbon to hold them together if you prefer a bundled look.
The result is a compact, lightweight pen holder for your desk or your child’s homework station.
Loose charging cables and earphone wires are a universal frustration. An empty toothpaste tube can keep them neatly organised.
What you need:
How to make it:
1. Remove the cap from the tube.
2. Measure the widest point of the tube opening where the cap screws on. Select a drill bit that matches this diameter.
3. Drill a hole through the centre of the tube body. Use a vice to hold the tube steady and keep your fingers well clear.
4. Thread your cable through the drilled hole, wrap the tube around the coiled wire and push the tube opening through the hole.
5. Screw the cap back on to secure the bundle.
This creates a simple, reusable cable organiser that you can open and close by removing the cap.
This project requires patience, as you need to collect several empty tubes before you begin.
What you need:
How to make it:
1. Remove the caps and cut off the sealed bottom of each tube. Cut each tube open lengthways so it lies flat.
2. Lay one flat tube next to another, lengthways. Run a strip of ribbon along the seam between them, overlapping both sides. Glue the ribbon down to join the two pieces.
3. Repeat until all tubes are glued together in one flat sheet.
4. Roll the flat sheet into a cylinder shape. Glue the two ends together using the same ribbon method.
5. Stand the cylinder upright on your bathroom counter and place your toothbrushes and toothpaste inside.
The finished holder is waterproof, durable and entirely made from materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
While upcycling is a worthwhile habit, the most important thing you can do with a toothpaste tube is use it properly while it still has toothpaste in it. The Oral Health Foundation recommends:
If you are unsure which toothpaste is best for your teeth, or if you have specific concerns such as sensitivity or enamel erosion, our team at Pure Smiles can recommend a product suited to your needs during your next learn more hygiene appointment.
Pure Smiles has been caring for teeth in Fulham since 2009. Dr Ayzaaz Akram (BDS University of Liverpool 1995, GDC 70996) leads our family-run practice, where we focus on preventive care and long-term oral health.
Visit us at either of our two locations:
To book an appointment, call us on 020 7736 6276 or learn more contact us online.
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Most toothpaste tubes in the UK are made from a laminate of plastic and aluminium, which standard kerbside recycling cannot process. Some councils accept all-plastic tubes, and TerraCycle offers specialist drop-off points for oral care packaging. Check your local council website for specific guidance.
Adults should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children under three should use a smear, and children aged three to six should use a pea-sized amount. Using more than this does not improve cleaning and wastes product.
You should replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed or splayed. A worn toothbrush is significantly less effective at removing plaque from your teeth and gum line.
Yes. The most important ingredient to look for is fluoride, which strengthens enamel and helps prevent decay. Beyond that, your dentist may recommend specific toothpastes for sensitivity, gum health or whitening based on the condition of your teeth. Ask your dentist at your next check-up for a personalised recommendation.
