All our lives we've known toothpaste in plastic tubes. We don't know anything else. Tubes were a great invention in the 19th century, but they’ve become a real problem now. Each year, over 1.5 billion of them end up in landfills and our oceans, where they barely decompose. The rest of the 20 billion get burned, causing harmful CO2. This is not acceptable and we want to change that.
CAN WE RECYCLE TOOTHPASTE TUBES?
Due to the different layers of plastic in a tube, sometimes surrounding a thin layer of aluminium, recycling is technically and economically (virtually) impossible. The toothpaste industry wants to gradually switch to recyclable tubes in the coming years, but that doesn’t stop the CO2 emissions from the production of the plastic tubes, and the remaining 1.5 billion tubes that get lost in our environment. Also, recyclable plastic is often incinerated rather than recycled, especially when the oil price is so low that you can make new ones for a much lower cost.
DO BRUSH MINTS HAVE THE SAME INGREDIENTS AS REGULAR TOOTHPASTE?
Yes and no. Yes, Smyle has a proven effect, just as 'normal' toothpaste has, and we are continuously testing this with the Academy of Dentistry Amsterdam as a globally renowned independent research institute.
And No. "Normal" toothpaste is a chemical blend of artificial colours, foaming agents (SLS), preservatives and (sometimes) microplastics. Smyle Brush Mints are toothpaste tablets made from only natural ingredients, free from "harsh chemicals", free from microplastics, free from allergens and gluten and they are also vegan and cruelty free.
DO I STILL NEED TO BRUSH WITH A TOOTHBRUSH?
Yes, you still need to use a toothbrush! SMYLING IS EASY! CRUSH a Mint with your teeth BRUSH with a wet toothbrush for 2 minutes or more. Rinse your mouth and SMYLE! REPEAT at least twice a day.
CAN I STILL USE AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH?
Sure you can. Electric or manual it doesn't matter.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
It tastes like peppermint. Super fresh.
HOW MUCH PLASTIC DO I SAVE?
If you start using SMYLE you will save 1 toothpaste tube every month. With a family of 4, this can really add up! Not only are you saving on plastic waste, but also on the use of oil that’s produced to make plastic.
PLASTIC VERSUS GLASS
We deliver a one-time subscription with a cool glass bottle, a ‘jewel’ for your bathroom you might say. Then we'll refill it with our Brush Mint refill packaging, which is made of cardboard / paper -it’s super light,fully compostable and recyclable. A month of brushing uses 65 Brush Mints, which together with our recyclable packaging weighs 32 grams. A full 75ml tube of toothpaste weighs 109 grams, including all non-recyclable non-degradable plastic.
So Smyle is better in every way.
WHAT DOES ALL NATURAL MEAN?
We started Smyle because we wanted to brush our own teeth without harmful chemicals. Most toothpastes contain harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate as well as microplastics. Many are tested on animals. Our tabs are made from only natural ingredients and are cruelty free. Right now we’re working with our suppliers to get all our ingredients certified as organic. We hope to achieve this at the end of 2020.
DO THESE FOAM?
Due to the natural coco oil extract, our mints do foam. Because your mouth isn’t a Mediterranean disco for teens, it doesn’t require the exuberant foam party caused by the chemicals the average toothpaste contains. In short: foam is pretty much a marketing gimmick! Our mints foam just enough to be pleasant and clean your teeth and gums. Just like all new things, you might need a few days to get used to it, but after that you'll never tube again.
WHERE ARE YOU PRODUCTS PRODUCED AND WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Smyle brush mints are as Dutch as Gouda cheese, windmills, and wearing running shoes to the opera.
HOW DOES YOUR SUBSCRIPTION WORK?
With our subscription service you’ll never run out of Brush Mints . You’ll receive a starter kit that includes a refillable glass bottle. We’ll then send you a carton pouch with refills every 4 months.
IS HOME DELIVERY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ?
We deliver by letterbox post. Everything fits through the letterbox and is (almost always) delivered by bicycle by the postman. For the rest of our transport services, we use green post from PostNL, which is guaranteed to be CO2 neutral. Our home delivery is almost always more environmentally friendly than buying in store. If you want to know more, check our sustainability HERE.
ARE YOU CERTIFIED ORGANIC?
We are in the process of becoming certified for organic with the leading European Certification Body.
IS ONE TABLET ENOUGH?
Yes. We're all used to commercials with big blobs of toothpaste on your toothbrush. But in reality a pinch of toothpaste is enough. Or 1 tablet.
DOES TOOTHPASTE GET LEFT BEHIND IN A TUBE?
Yes, on average +/- 15% remains in your tube. And because you put too much of it on your brush at the same time, we expect 25% of toothpaste in total IS WASTED. In other words, Smyle also helps prevent "toothpaste waste."
