Read on to find out how making a simple (and cost effective!) toothbrush switch can help to save our planet!
What are plastic toothbrushes doing to the environment?
In Australia alone, roughly 30 million toothbrushes are thrown away each year, while 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the United States. Traditional toothbrushes are made from polypropylene plastic and nylon, which are sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels.
Before your toothbrush even makes it to your bathroom, it’s damaging the environment. Manufacturing the nylon used in a toothbrush creates a toxin called nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas. When you eventually toss that toothbrush, it either ends up in landfill taking around 500 years to break down, or it ends up polluting our waterways.
Are bamboo toothbrushes better for the environment?
A well-made bamboo toothbrush has a significantly more positive impact on our planet. While most toothbrushes will still require a percentage of nylon to physically create the bristles, a bamboo handled toothbrush is a far more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to your traditional toothbrush. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth and is a completely natural material, unlike the fossil-fuel-derived plastic and nylon used to make standard toothbrushes. Bamboo requires no pesticides and very little water to grow, and therefore has a substantially smaller carbon footprint than plastic does. It’s also completely biodegradable, which means it can be recycled after use!
What are the benefits of bamboo toothbrushes?
Our favourite bamboo toothbrush, the Life Basics Bamboo & Charcoal Toothbrush, is as beneficial for your teeth as it is for the planet! The bristles of this particular toothbrush have been carefully infused with Activated Binchotan Charcoal, which is known for its natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as its ability to whiten and brighten the teeth. Activated Binchotan Charcoal can also help to improve bad breath by reducing the bacteria that causes it! The Life Basics Bamboo & Charcoal Toothbrush also comes in 100% plastic-free, biodegradable packaging, so you aren’t undoing your environmental effort by purchasing a plastic-wrapped product.
We recommend teaming your new eco-friendly toothbrush with an eco-friendly, natural toothpaste. Shop our full range of sustainable, natural and toxin-free dental health products online now.
