The modern market is full of beauty and health products, some may be represented with sustainable features. This essay helps to find the best eco-friendly electric toothbrush care not only about personal health but also sustainability contributing to the balance of nature and ecology. We offer you a selection of eco-friendly electric toothbrush varieties that are best for the environment, have long-term use, and do not litter the planet with plastic.
Are Eco Electric Toothbrushes Really Eco-Friendly?
Modern manufacturers are trying to appeal to a more environmentally conscious audience by encouraging customers to adopt eco-friendly shopping and consumption habits. Compostable or recyclable electric toothbrushes are no longer a novelty. These brushes are made from environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo or aluminum, and some parts can contain cornstarch.
A toothbrush can truly be considered a sustainable electric toothbrush if it is made with recycled or composted parts, with the limited use of synthetics, is BPA-free, made of sustainable materials, has replaceable plant-based heads (parts of which can be composted), comes in biodegradable packaging, and is vegan and cruelty-free. The battery of a sustainableelectric toothbrush must be rechargeable and have a long battery life and power-saving mode to conserve energy.
Electric toothbrushes offer convenience by doing most of the work, making cleaning easier and less tiring, which is especially beneficial for children, the elderly, or those with limited hand mobility, unlike manual toothbrushes that demand more time and effort for the same results.
By choosing a toothbrush that fully meets these requirements, you will take care not only of your hygiene, but it will also be a great solution for those who care about preserving the environment.
How to Responsibly Recycle Your Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes
You should take care of the correct disposal of your toothbrush, its elements, and most importantly – the battery, which poses a threat to the environment.
It is important to choose items in packaging with the ability to be biodegraded or recycled. The packaging of eco-friendly electric toothbrushes should be placed in the correct container for waste sorting or handed over to a collection center for recycling.
Remember about the correct disposal of the brush batteries – the only right way to dispose of a lithium-ion battery is to hand it over to the appropriate collection points, whose employees know how to dispose of it correctly and safely. These centers disassemble the batteries into components such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and other materials that can be recycled and reused. Some electric toothbrushes use standard AA batteries, while others use rechargeable ones.
Give priority to buying sustainable electric toothbrushes and not contribute to e-waste landfills.
Environmental Impact of Electric Toothbrushes
Everything in this world is relative. So let’s investigate this issue from several angles in detail.
On the one hand, if we consider the raw material from which the brush was made, we would find synthetic materials in the composition of the item – namely plastic, which is unethical and not sustainable towards nature and its inhabitants. The problem of plastic waste accumulation is being solved very slowly, and only some countries have learned how to recycle it. However, most countries continue practicing single-use products of synthetic origin. Just imagine the number of plastic toothbrushes used per year (the average lifespan of a plastic toothbrush is a few months), you can estimate how much plastic ends up in the landfill. Thus, the already existing global problem of the accumulation of synthetic waste is supplemented every month with billions of new plastic accessories for oral hygiene.
On the other hand, a sustainable electric toothbrush is designed to be used for longer than a regular plastic one. Thus an electric toothbrush is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. It means you can use the same eco-friendly electric toothbrush for several years. In addition, an electric toothbrush contains metal parts, as well as some materials that are suitable for recycling or composting. Some manufacturers offer loyalty programs and encourage customers with bonuses, offering to bring disassembled parts of the electric toothbrush head to collection centers for further recycling of raw materials and even composting.
So, by choosing an eco electric toothbrush you contribute to a balanced and green future for your surroundings and the sustainable future of the whole planet. Although, it is inferior to brushes made of natural materials such as bamboo.
Materials Used in Toothbrushes
The body of an electric toothbrush can be made of plastic, silicone, or aluminum. The most popular material for the bristles is nylon, or a blend of plant-based bioplastics and a small amount of nylon. Some manufacturers offer brush heads made of cornstarch bioplastics with castor oil bristles, which means they can be industrially composted. The main components of the battery are lithium and cobalt.
Most eco-friendly electric toothbrushes
We bring to your attention an overview of the best sustainable electric toothbrush examples, top-rated by users.
SURI
Top Product: Sonic Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrush
Price Range: $82–109
- Plant-based replacement heads
- Free recycling service for UK/US customers
- Slim aluminum body
- Two brushing modes
- Repair facility available
- Over 4.9-star ratings with almost 1,000 reviews
Sustainable Tomorrow
Top Product: Bamboo Electric Toothbrush
Price Range: $98–100
- Includes 1 electric toothbrush head
- Five cleaning modes
- Three intensity levels
- Sonic technology
- Zero-waste packaging
- Extra-long battery life
Etee
Top Product: Electric Toothbrush with Replaceable Bamboo Head
Price Range: $80–95
- Compostable bamboo brush head
- Comes with a micro-USB cable
- Completely recyclable body
- 1-year warranty
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Georganics
Top Product: Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Price Range: $90–93
- Recyclable materials
- Compostable packaging
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Certified waterproof design
- DuPont 610 nylon Bristles
Conclusions
Looking through the hundreds of toothbrushes on the market presented on the marketplaces, pay attention to the electric toothbrush. It is a conscious ecological choice that not only carefully cleans teeth and gums, but also contributes to the environment by minimizing the problem of accumulation and disposal of plastic and non-biodegradable materials. Buying an eco friendly electric toothbrush is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option, unlike conventional disposable ones, as they last much longer.
FAQ
We have prepared answers to the most interesting questions for you so that you can make the best choice of an ecological electric toothbrush. Here they are.
Can electric toothbrushes be eco-friendly?
An eco friendly electric toothbrush is durable, made with minimal plastic, BPA-free, has replaceable heads (parts of which can be composted), composted or plant-based bristles, and biodegradable handles, made of sustainable materials, comes in biodegradable packaging, and is vegan and cruelty-free.
Are there eco-friendly toothbrushes?
Bamboo toothbrushes are the most environmentally friendly choice because they are made from natural, environmentally friendly, durable raw materials, fully compostable, and biodegradable, making them ideal for reducing your personal carbon footprint and plastic waste.
What is the most eco-friendly way to brush teeth?
A great option to brush teeth eco-friendly is to use bamboo toothbrushes. After all, it is a natural organic raw material that can be fully composted and biodegradable if thrown in the trash. Also, a great choice is toothbrushes made from recycled plastic, which are also environmentally friendly.
Are electric toothbrushes plastic?
Although modern brands strive to present on the market eco electric toothbrushes with minimal impact on nature, most toothbrushes sold are still made of plastic and nylon. Some elements of the brush try to be made of natural materials (such as elements of the head or bristles), but still, the body of the brush contains plastic.
Author
Anna Smirnova
Former chemist, content writer on https://rythmoftheworld.com From my career as a chemist, I brought the skills of discovering, analyzing, filtration, separation, distillation, and explanation. I adore art, photography, traveling, hiking, and winter.
