Disposable plastic toothbrushes might make for a convenient way to keep your pearly whites clean, but a closer look at their impact on the environment reveals long-ranging effects that cause some serious downsides.
We're not suggesting you forgo your twice-per-day cleaning, there are fortunately plenty of options that keep your teeth, gums, and our planet clean. From bamboo toothbrushes to plastic-free electric toothbrushes there are plenty of good alternatives to the standard plastic toothbrush for you to choose from.
What is the environmental impact of plastic tooth brushes?
It's estimated that 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year, 50 million pounds of toothbrushes are ditched in landfills annually, and manufacturing the bristles for many toot brushes releases harmful greenhouse gasses (more frightening facts here).
Those figures are staggering, but considering the average person goes through an astounding 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime, the plastic waste adds up.
Plastic toothbrushes have a significant environmental impact, as they are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down in the natural environment. Additionally, a large portion of plastic toothbrushes end up in landfills or in the ocean, where they can harm wildlife and marine ecosystems.
When plastic toothbrushes break down, they release microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic that are harmful to the environment and wildlife. Microplastics are easily ingested by marine animals, birds, and other wildlife, and they can cause harm to their digestive and reproductive systems.
In addition to the environmental impact of plastic toothbrushes, the production of plastic also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
To reduce the environmental impact of plastic toothbrushes, it is recommended to use biodegradable toothbrushes made from materials like bamboo, which is a renewable resource. It is also important to properly dispose of used toothbrushes to prevent them from ending up in the environment.
The best eco-friendly plastic toothbrush alternatives
1. Better and Better Bamboo Toothbrush
Price: $5.99
Made from natural bamboo, this toothbrush keeps you smiling brighter, and is made-to-keep. Designed for comfort and durability, the reusable handle fits seamlessly with soft and gentle replaceable brush heads.
2. Zero Waste Store Bamboo Toothbrush
Price: $4.00
The ZWS Essentials Bamboo Toothbrush is completely plant-based: bristles, handle, and box. Made from castor bean oil, organic bamboo, and paper! This toothbrush will keep your pearly whites clean and fresh.
3. Sustainable Shine Electric Bamboo Toothbrush
For those who are not ready to toss their electric toothbrush, here's a plastic-free alternative. Here's your dream alternative complete with Bamboo Replacement Heads and 100% recyclable plastic. An environmentally conscious alternative that helps achieve a deeper, more premium clean you can be proud of.
View product for more info.
4. Georganics Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Price: £69.90
The Georganics Sonic Electric toothbrush is a recyclable alternative to the standard plastic toothbrush. Shipped in plastic-free packaging this toothbrush packs a serious punch and it's rechargeable with a battery lasting up to 5 weeks meaning no battery waste or refills needed. Every piece of this toothbrush is recyclable to minimize its environmental impact, including the brush heads which can be replaced.
Why we like these green alternatives
All of these toothbrush alternatives provide just as much cleaning power as the common brands while minimizing the harmful impact to the environment.
By sourcing sustainable materials like bamboo, we're able to cut down on plastic production (which produces harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases) as well as waste (which fills landfills). If bamboo is not your speed, opting for recyclable options is still an excellent plastic toothbrush alternative as you can at least limit landfill waste and keep our planet clean.