Why Bamboo Toothbrush Is Made For Reducing Plastic?
Can you imagine how many toothbrushes are being thrown away every year? The American Dental Association suggests everyone replace their toothbrushes every three months or more often if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed. If everyone followed these recommendations, about 23 billion plastic toothbrushes would get trashed annually.
Fun Fact: ;According to National Geographic, scientists have estimated that plastic toothbrushes take about 1,000 years to decompose in the landfill, and the first plastic toothbrush ever made in the 1930s is still out there in the world somewhere, living on as a piece of trash.
There's no doubt that plastic has provided amazing contributions and benefits to our society, but using it to make plastic toothbrushes that take about 1,000 years to decompose is not the best idea.
Thankfully, there's a simple yet sustainable alternative to plastic toothbrushes. And in this blog post, I'm going to show why bamboo toothbrush is made for those who want to reduce their plastic footprint and help protect the environment.
Table Of Contents
- The Problems With Plastic Toothbrushes
- What Is A Bamboo Toothbrush?
- Why Bamboo Toothbrush Is Made For Those Who Want To Reduce Plastic
- Quick Takeaway
- FAQs
The Problems With Plastic Toothbrushes
For centuries, toothbrushes have been made from natural materials. However, when the Industrial Revolution arrived during the early 20th century, manufacturers started substituting nylon and other plastics into the toothbrush design, making it indestructible and unrecyclable.
Plastic Toothbrush Is Not Recyclable: National Geographic explains that plastic toothbrushes aren't recyclable because the composite plastic used to create them doesn't break apart efficiently, and often gets stuck in the recycling machine.
Plastic Toothbrush Is Harming The Wild Life: For wildlife such as fish, dolphins, seabirds, and seals, plastic can be deadly as they often mistake plastic for food. When animals ingest plastic or microplastics, it can take up space in the gut and digestive system, leading to reductions in feeding signals or even death.
Plastic Toothbrush Is One Of The Top Contributors To Plastic Waste: About 4.7 million toothbrushes end up in our oceans every single year. Plastic toothbrushes are among the most commonly found items during beach cleanup.
By now, I think you know that the environmental destruction caused by plastics is getting worse every year. So here is another fun fact: Scientists have predicted that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish (by weight).
Summary: The most obvious problem with plastic toothbrushes is that they take too long to degrade, which means they will either pollute our environment or sit in a landfill for hundreds if not thousands of years. (Virtually every piece of plastic that was ever made still exists in some shape or form)
What Is A Bamboo Toothbrush?
Bamboo toothbrushes are very similar to a manual plastic toothbrush you have been using. The only difference between bamboo toothbrushes and plastic toothbrushes is the material used to make the handle.
While most modern toothbrushes are made from a mix of plastic materials that combine elements of rubber, crude oil, and petroleum (A bad mix to put in your mouth twice a day). Bamboo toothbrushes are made from 100% natural bamboo wood with the bristles that are made out of durable nylon.
Fun Fact: According to Guinness World Records, bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. Not only that, but they can regrow quickly after being cut down, making them one of the most environmentally friendly products available.
Here are some of the many benefits of using a bamboo toothbrush:
- Reducing Plastic: By using a bamboo toothbrush, you eliminate unnecessary plastic waste while giving you the same quality of cleaning that a plastic toothbrush can offer.
- Antimicrobial: Bamboo is known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. The properties inside the bamboo help to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria on your toothbrush.
- Comfortable: Each Bamboo Toothbrush is made using natural bamboo wood that is carefully designed to provide a comfortable and firm grip when brushing. The bristles are specially designed to remove plaque and clean every part of your mouth effectively.
- Affordable: Bamboo toothbrush is very affordable and doesn't require more care than a standard plastic version. Plus, each bamboo toothbrush is individually packaged in a recyclable cardboard box, making them even more eco-friendly.
Summary: Bamboo toothbrushes are exactly what they sound like. They are toothbrushes that have handles that are made out of biodegradable material known as bamboo and bristles that are made out of nylon to give the same quality of cleaning that a plastic toothbrush can offer.
Why Bamboo Toothbrush Is Made For Those Who Want To Reduce Plastic
As plastic toothbrushes are impossible to recycle, bamboo toothbrushes become a great eco-friendly alternative because they can clean your teeth equally well, and are made from sustainable materials as opposed to plastic.
Bamboo toothbrushes also have lower carbon footprint and a much better end-of-life disposal process than plastic toothbrushes. One less plastic product within your household could mean one less item that could pollute our environment.
Fun Fact: The average person uses around 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. And when you throw away your plastic toothbrush, it doesn't magically disappear. Instead, they will be sent to a landfill, where they could take up to 1,000 years to break down.
Every day, millions of plastic toothbrushes are being discarded in our landfills, which has adverse effects on the environment. Little changes have a huge impact over time. Even if you can use a bamboo toothbrush for just one time, you are still taking a positive step toward helping our planet!
Summary: Plastic toothbrushes are a common household item, but they pose a significant problem to the environment because they can't be recycled and take hundreds of years to decompose. Switching to using a bamboo toothbrush is a more sustainable and affordable way to reduce your plastic consumption.
Quick Takeaways
Plastic toothbrushes are a major source of plastic pollution. They are not recyclable and can take hundreds of years to decompose. Bamboo toothbrushes are a sustainable alternative that is made from renewable materials and can be composted as fast as a branch of a tree.
By switching to a bamboo toothbrush, you're taking the first step in a solution to our global waste problem. A simple $14.95 switch for a pack of bamboo toothbrushes (1-year supply of toothbrushes) means less plastic ends up in the landfills or clogging up the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions Relate To This Blog:
Question #1: How much plastic waste come from toothbrushes?
Answer: Scientist has estimated that about 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the United States alone, creating 50 million pounds of waste. That's about 3 toothbrushes per person each year.
Question #2: Are bamboo toothbrush plastic free?
Answer: Most bamboo toothbrushes are not 100% plastic-free. The bristles of most bamboo toothbrushes are made of nylon, which is a type of plastic that is strong and durable. It is also relatively inexpensive, which helps to keep the cost of bamboo toothbrush down.
Question #3: Why should I use bamboo toothbrush?
Answer: Even though most bamboo toothbrushes are not 100% plastic-free, they are still a good choice for people who are looking for a more sustainable alternative to plastic toothbrushes. The bamboo handle is biodegradable and compostable, so it will not end up in a landfill and the nylon bristles can be 100% recyclable.