Can a toothbrush swap save the planet?
Every morning we wake up and brush our teeth. Little do we know that the toothbrush cleaning our teeth will someday pollute the planet. In 365 days, humans generate approximately 600 million kg of plastic toothbrush waste. This waste ends up in landfills and slowly makes its way to the water bodies as they decompose.
Plastic toothbrushes in the sewage system get converted into small pieces as the decomposition process starts. These toothbrushes are made of plastic and toxic synthetic materials. In the long term, the decomposition process gives birth to microplastics. These microplastics have the potential to harm aquatic bodies, natural habitats and humans.
Why are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic ones?
The handles of these toothbrushes are made of bamboo. The bristles are either infused with activated charcoal or made from nylon. Bamboo is a tree that quickly grows and needs minimum care. They have the potential to grow without fertiliser and pesticides. Toothbrushes made with bamboo are biodegradable.
At the end of their life, they can be composted or used in any other way after removing the bristles. Bamboo and plastic toothbrushes are similar, except for the difference in handles. When it comes to discarding, bamboo toothbrushes will not be left in landfills to decompose for years. They will easily find their way back to mother earth through composting.
Some of the main benefits of using bamboo toothbrushes are as follows -
Biodegradability - Bamboo is a material that can be broken down into pieces without causing any harm to the environment. Whereas, plastic brushes take years to break down.
Renewable resource - Bamboo is a renewable resource which can easily be grown with the least effort. The carbon emission in growing bamboo is much lesser compared to producing plastic toothbrushes.
Affordability - Bamboo toothbrushes are affordable and can easily be bought at the price of a plastic toothbrush.
Longevity - Bamboo is a material that is strong and sturdy. This gives the bamboo toothbrush a lifespan of about 3-6 months.
Environmental-friendly - Using an environment-friendly brush not only supports the planet but also gives you the satisfaction of living consciously.
How to take care of your bamboo toothbrush?
Your bamboo toothbrush needs to be patted dry after being used. Wetness or dampness on your brush can result in the growth of mold on your toothbrush. Mold is a fungal growth that develops on wet materials. A natural material like bamboo makes it more prone to mold. So, next time you place back your bamboo brush, dry it thoroughly.
Other than this, everything is similar to a plastic toothbrush. You can use it with any paste or powder that best suits your teeth.
Will your toothbrush swap change the world?
Every day, humans generate thousands of kg of plastic waste. In that scenario, if you switch from plastic to bamboo toothbrushes, you will reduce your waste of one plastic toothbrush every few months. It does not seem like a huge change, but imagine the number of people you stand to inspire.
When you begin to change, your family members and friends notice. Slowly, they might adopt the change and learn more about sustainable living. This small change will be a seed sown for further growth.
So, to conclude, can a toothbrush swap save the planet?
Well, even after the toothbrush swap, there are many places where we need to ditch plastic. However, toothbrush swap is a simple and quick way to begin the revolution of going plastic free. Don’t forget to get your bamboo toothbrush from awenest and initiate your journey of change.
Photo by Superkitina on Unsplash
Author-brinda shah is a freelance content writer. she is a ca turned into a writer who loves to read, write & meditate. you can connect with her on linkedin and on instagram
