Case Study: Why I Switch To Using Bamboo Toothbrush
Have you been tempted to switch to using a bamboo toothbrush? A couple of months back, that was the exact feeling I had. Just like you, I always want to reduce my plastic consumption but haven’t given myself a chance to do anything about it.
Fun Fact: According to an estimate from Dental Tribune, the world throws away 29.4 billion plastic toothbrushes every year. That adds up to roughly 600 million kilograms of plastic waste! (considering the average plastic toothbrush weighs about 20 grams)
Growing up, no one around me seemed to care about plastic waste at all. I was just like most people, using plastic toothbrushes my entire life without even realizing there was an alternative.
But thanks to the internet, we now know that there are many alternatives to plastic toothbrushes. In this blog post, I want to share with you my story of why I switched to using bamboo toothbrushes, and hopefully, you'll find inspiration out of this story and do the same.
Table Of Contents
- Why I Switch To Using Bamboo Toothbrush
- What I Learn After Using Bamboo Toothbrush
- What I Wanted You To Know
- FAQs
Why I Switched To Using Bamboo Toothbrush?
I've always been concerned about plastic, but it wasn't until I started reading numerous online articles about how plastic pollution is impacting our human health and wildlife that I began to actively seek out alternatives. I came across things like stainless steel straws, reusable water bottles, no plastic bags, buying in bulk, and then eventually, bamboo toothbrushes.
One particular story that deeply moved me was from a plastic-free campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Emma Priestland. As she told HuffPost UK, "Four years ago, I saw a photo of a toothbrush inside the belly of an albatross chick and stopped using plastic toothbrushes." Hearing her story really inspired me to take action.
I read many article written by the National Geographic, where they discovered that most plastic toothbrushes are not recyclable since the composite plastic used to create them doesn't break apart efficiently, and their small part could easily jam the recycling machinery. (This means they'll either end up in the landfill or make their way into our ocean).
I also found a study done by the Environmental Health Perspectives, showing that most plastic products, including BPA-free products, leach estrogenic chemicals when they are stressed (common-use). So by letting the plastic toothbrush come into contact with my mouth, it has a higher chance of scratching the plastic handle and leaching chemicals into my mouth during brushing.
Summary: While using a plastic toothbrush, you're not only increasing your plastic consumption and landfill waste, but you're also increasing the risk of plastic chemicals leaching into your mouth. (Even products labeled BPA-free can still leach estrogenic or other chemicals when faced with common-use stress) So after discovering about bamboo toothbrush, I just don't feel like putting plastic toothbrush in my mouth twice a day anymore.
Photo: © Lazy_Bear via Getty Images
What I Learn After Using Bamboo Toothbrush
Fun Fact: Accodring to National Geographic, plastic production has increased exponentially from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million ton in 2015. They also predict that every seabird species on the planet will be eating plastic in 2050 if current rates of ocean plastic pollution continue!
It's been about 7 months since I started using bamboo toothbrush, and I must say that I’ve found an awesome alternative to the harmful plastic version. The bamboo handle feels very comfortable in my hand and is naturally antimicrobial, while the bristles are made from the same material, so it's very durable and cleans my teeth effectively.
My bamboo toothbrush is very similar to any manual plastic toothbrush, I guess the only difference is the material used to make the handle. I learn this by trying many different brands, but if you purchase your bamboo toothbrush at Ecopify, the bamboo toothbrushes will come in a cardboard box that can be recycled or composted.
Beyond the practical benefits, switching to using bamboo toothbrushes has given me a personal sense of responsibility and motivation. I really hope those of you who read this blog post will give it a try. Not only are you helping the environment, but you also help yourself.
I enjoy brushing my teeth even more now all thanks to bamboo toothbrush!
Summary: The benefits of bamboo toothbrushes extend beyond their environmental impact. I learned that the material used for the handle has nothing to do with how effective the toothbrush is. It all boils down to how often you brush your teeth and your brushing technique.
What I Wanted You To Know
Plastic toothbrushes are one of the top plastic pollutants in our ocean!
According to the same article by National Geographic, more than 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are being thrown away every single year in the United States alone. And in any given Hawaii beach cleanup, it's not uncommon to pick up 20 or even 100 toothbrushes.
Using plastic toothbrushes not only drains the oil supply but it can also pollute our ocean and harms wildlife. According to WWF Australia, plastic toothbrushes are made from polypropylene plastic and nylon that can take up to 500 years or more to decompose.
Switching to a bamboo toothbrush is one of the easiest ways to instantly reduce your plastic footprint. By choosing this simple alternative, you are actively preventing more plastic toothbrushes from contributing to the ever-growing problem of pollution in our oceans and landfills.
What's even more inspiring is seeing this small change have a ripple effect. Recently, some of my friends and family members have also made the switch after I told them about it. I guess at the end of the day, the most important thing is that we all taking a little step towards reducing our plastic waste to help the environment.
Summary: Plastic toothbrushes are a major contributor to ocean pollution, with billions ending up in landfills and waterways every single year. Fortunately, by switching to bamboo toothbrushes, you can make an immediate impact on reducing your plastic footprint and preventing additional plastic toothbrushes from adding to the ever-growing plastic pollution crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions Relate To This Blog:
Question #1: What do you do with your used bamboo toothbrush?
Answer: I usually compost the bamboo handle after I'm done with my bamboo toothbrush, but lately I’ve been repurposing the old toothbrush to clean my bathroom sink. (You will be suprise at how good it can clean, the best way to scrub around faucets in my opinion!)
Question #2: How often do you change your bamboo toothbrush?
Answer: Just like a plastic toothbrush, I often look at the toothbrush bristles. If it is too frayed out, then I switch to using a new one (usually around 2~3 months).
Question #3: Are bamboo toothbrushes as effective as plastic ones?
Answer: Bamboo toothbrushes work just as well as plastic ones when it comes to cleaning your teeth. The material used for the handle has nothing to do with how effective the toothbrush is. It all boils down to how often you brush your teeth and your brushing technique.
Question #4: Are bamboo toothbrushes more expensive than plastic toothbrushes?
Answer: Not really. Prices depend on the brand you choose, but many are very affordable. My bamboo toothbrushes are from Ecopify. I bought a year worth of bamboo toothbrushes for just $14.95!