Are you like me? I've been that person who rolls, squeezes, and cuts open toothpaste tubes to use every last bit - much to my family's amusement as they move on to fresh tubes. But those empty plastic tubes always bothered me. Besides fighting me for some final serving- they likely also end up in a landfill.
Our family has been making steady shifts toward more eco-friendly personal care products. We switched to a better, paraben-free shampoo and even found this great recycled toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap (which is almost entirely PFAS-free!). Then my wife Nackie took our bathroom sustainability journey further by introducing us to toothpaste tablets.
These tablets come in two options at our house: a kid-friendly flavor in an aluminum container and minty ones for the adults in a glass jar. The brushing has remained the same, but the containers are actually recyclable - a refreshing change from those impossible-to-recycle tubes. Our bathroom counter is cleaner, and our environmental impact is smaller.
But here's the thing: while our family can recycle these containers, many Tennesseans don't have access to reliable recycling. That's why I'm excited about the Tennessee Waste to Jobs Act. This legislation would make recycling accessible across our state, ensuring everyone can make more sustainable choices - whether it's toothpaste containers or any other recyclable materials.
Ready to make a change? Consider trying toothpaste tablets for your family, and while you're at it, let your state legislator know you support the Waste to Jobs Act. Sometimes the smallest changes at home can inspire the biggest improvements in our community.