There are many ways to live more sustainably, some large, others small. And you need look no further than your bathroom to find one.
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every few months, which adds up to a lot of plastic waste over time. So that the rubbish is at least not non-biodegradable plastic, some eco-minded people use toothbrushes with a bamboo handle.
Is this the most environmentally sustainable option?
Friends of the Earth Germany points to a study, published in 2020 in the British Dental Journal, comparing the sustainability of different toothbrush types.
The study found that both bamboo and replaceable-head manual plastic toothbrushes had the lowest environmental impact, less than traditional plastic toothbrushes and far less than electric ones.
So plastic toothbrushes aren’t such a bad choice after all.
The global bamboo toothbrush market is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period because of increasing oral hygiene awareness and rising environmental awareness. Governments promoting eco-friendly products is a prominent trend that is anticipated to affect new product launches throughout the projected period.
Various countries’ anti-plastic legislation and stringent regulations for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic goods will likely raise consumer awareness in the coming years. Plastic toothbrushes produced worldwide end up in landfills, with just a small percentage recycled, resulting in plastic pollution. These considerations are expected to increase the use of bamboo toothbrushes as alternatives among purchasers in the coming years.
Bamboo is a long-lasting and environmentally beneficial material. It also multiplies after harvesting. It grows spontaneously without needing fertilizers, making it an organic material. Furthermore, it is highly durable and has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is getting more popular among consumers due to its environmentally friendly characteristics.
Bamboo toothbrushes were first used in ancient China at the end of the 15th century. They were created by attaching boar hair to a piece of bamboo. According to data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) study ‘Global Burden of Disease Study 2016′, half of the world’s population suffers from some form of oral disease, with tooth decay being the most common concern. People worldwide are turning to eco-friendly options such as bamboo-based toothbrushes to combat these ailments.
Bamboo toothbrushes are environmentally friendly as the handles are made from bamboo and are 100% biodegradable. This means, they can be broken down naturally by themselves over time. Research suggests that plastic can take up to 1000 years to break down. On the other hand, something like a bamboo toothbrush may take around 3 – 4 months to break down and decompose.
Castor bean oil bristles are still a type of polymer and is highly processed, however, they are plant based and will eventually break down without leaving micro plastics. This is a better alternative to petroleum-based nylon bristles that are made from crude oil.
Post time: Aug-05-2023