WASTE PROBLEM:
Every toothbrush you have ever used is still sitting in a landfill. Every single one. That means I personally have about 160 toothbrushes in the landfill. Ugh. Gross. Hard plastics like toothbrushes can take up to 500 years to break down.
SIMPLE SOLUTION:
Bamboo toothbrushes. This is a simple change that can be delivered to your door by Amazon or purchased from your local health food store for around $1.00 per brush.
These babies are not 100% compostable, the bristles are still made of nylon, but the bamboo handle breaks down in 6 months. Think of what a great effect this one switch can have on the environment over your lifetime.
REJECTION #1
“Why don’t you just recycle your plastic toothbrush?”
No can do. The little parts get stuck in the machines. Plastic toothbrushes are not recyclable.
REJECTION #2
“Aren’t bamboo toothbrushes expensive?”
For some reason, I assumed this too. Surely, bamboo brushes must be more expensive than the regular old grocery store toothbrush. Wrong again! Dare I say it, but bamboo brushes are actually pretty inexpensive. Possibly even less expensive than what you are currently buying. I purchased a 10 pack for…..drumroll…… $8.99!
Seriously, why aren’t we all using these brushes?
REJECTION #3
“But is it a good toothbrush?”
Yes! The bristles are made from BPA nylon and the bamboo brush is very soft to hold. My old plastic brushes always had multiple levels of bristles and circle patterns and varying bristle thickness. Let me tell you, this simple, one color, uniform brush pattern works great. I personally made the switch last month and found it just as good as the neon plastic brushes.
MAJOR BONUS:
Ok, if the price tag, saving the environment for future generations or the good clean teeth feeling did not convert you, this final antidote may just get you.…they are so attractive! Lol. I mean they look much fancier than the neon plastic brush I was using. And considering my brush is out in plain sight, it is quite satisfying to see a sophisticated brush that goes with my décor. Ha ha. OK, I hope I didn’t lose you there. Maybe you have never thought about the color-scheme of your bathroom matching your toothbrush. Don’t judge me.
Now, if you thought the previous paragraph was ridiculous just keep scrolling. You have been warned.
Kid brushes…..they are soooo adorable! The package I bought came in a 6 pack for $6.99, each brush was individually packaged in a sweet little paper box with bunnies. Swoon. They come with different colored handles and bristles to distinguish from each other. At our house Santa packs a magical new toothbrush each year in our stockings at Christmas (yep, I’m that mom), so these have not yet been kid-tested. I will report back.
IN A NUTSHELL
By making this easy switch, I anticipate that our family will save 700 toothbrushes from heading to the landfill in my lifetime alone. It’s pretty. It’s inexpensive and it works just as well as the ones rotting for 500 years.
Here’s the links to the brushes we have been using:
Adult 10 Pack Biodegradable Bamboo Brushes
Kids Bamboo Toothbrushes Pack of 6
