Teeth
THE PROBLEM: plastic coated tubes, plastic toothbrushes, microplastics
THE SOLUTION: bamboo brushes, toothpaste tablets or jars
Switch to a bamboo toothbrush or research closed-loop electric toothbrush head recycling systems if you use the latter.
Around 71 manual toothbrushes and 141 million electric toothbrush heads are thrown away every year in the UK alone. The plastic toothbrush that you used 10 years ago will still be on earth today – and in 500 years’ time (unless it has been incinerated). Bamboo toothbrushes can be composted at home, or you could upcycle them into something like labels for your vegetable patch. Remember to pull out the bristles first and dispose of them in the household waste, as they are usually made of synthetic polymers, such as nylon. A few brands have managed to develop biodegradable alternatives. If you already use an electric toothbrush, you can buy recyclable heads from certain brands.
Find some toothpaste tablets or toothpaste in a glass jar from a local zero waste shop or an online plastic-free store. Many toothpastes contain microplastics and many synthetic ingredients. If you want a fluoride-containing toothpaste, there are several brands of toothpaste tablet out there containing it. You simply crunch them between your teeth and brush with water until it foams up. Remember to consult your dentists if you have any worries.
We get it – every dentist recommends flossing! But did you know you can switch to refillable biodegradable floss or bamboo interdentals to reduce your plastic waste?
Initial Cost
Environmental benefits
Lifetime savings
Health benefits
