How to Recycle Your Toothbrush

November. 10, 2022 |  Written by Daniella

With today’s focus on zero waste living and eco-friendly products, it can be confusing to understand what to do with the plastic products that you’ve already purchased. The term ‘zero waste living’ can initially sound daunting, and you can find yourself asking the question ‘what does zero waste mean?’ Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems – zero waste living is the movement that hopes to avoid sending rubbish to landfills, the ocean, or incinerators. The hope is that if we recycle, reuse, and repurpose as much as possible then we can have a much better impact on the environment.

If you’re wondering how to live zero waste, or how to recycle your current toothbrush so you can choose a more eco-friendly option, then read on further to discover tips to help you.

Are Toothbrushes Recyclable？

The first question that crosses our minds when wanting to recycle our toothbrushes is ‘are they made of recyclable materials?’ Well, the answer to this depends on the type of toothbrush. The plastic toothbrushes that are typically seen in supermarkets are not currently recyclable, and considering how often these need to be replaced, this amount of plastic can add up quickly.

Electric toothbrushes may seem like a more sustainable option on the surface, and they are a little more eco-friendly due to the fact the handles are made with more longevity, but their detachable heads also contribute heavily to the amount of plastic in landfills each year. In the case of electric toothbrushes though, it is worth noting that the batteries contained in the body are recyclable and it is really important that these are disposed of properly as they can cause fires if they are put in the regular bin. So this raises the question, how do you recycle elements of the toothbrushes that are recyclable?

Tips for Recycling Your Toothbrushes

Although most plastic toothbrushes aren’t conventionally recyclable, there are a few schemes currently in place to try to reduce the levels of plastic waste that do accept toothbrushes. Terracycle runs both the ‘Colgate Oral Care Free Recycling Program’ and the ‘Colgate Electric Toothbrush Free Recycling Program’. In these programmes, you can either deliver your toothbrushes to a public drop-off point or send them into the scheme through the post. Concerning their electric toothbrush scheme, it is important to note that they don’t currently accept detachable heads for toothbrushes. This scheme accepts any brand of toothbrush.

Is There a More Eco-Friendly Option?

Absolutely! Thankfully there is an easier way to make sure that your toothbrush is recyclable and eco-friendly, and that is to use a bamboo toothbrush instead. Bamboo is naturally strong and durable, as well as being a sustainable material. It can be a natural concern to wonder whether prolonged exposure to water could damage a bamboo toothbrush, but don’t worry – natural bamboo is water resistant too. Opting for a bamboo toothbrush rather than the plastic alternative means that you are reducing the usage and demand for plastic, as well as reducing the overall levels of plastic pollution, making it a brilliant eco-friendly option.

If you purchase a bamboo toothbrush through GreenLiving then the packaging it comes in is also 100% biodegradable and compostable, making it better for the environment in this way as well. There are also many possibilities with what you can do with your bamboo toothbrush after you want to replace it – you could use it as a plant support totem if you have houseplants, or you could cut off the bristles and use it in your crafts, the options are endless! If you like to travel and want a sustainable way to keep your toothbrush fresh, there are also eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush travel cases too – this keeps your toothbrush safe, and our environment safe too.

It is advised that we should change our toothbrushes every three to four months. This can feel like an unnecessary expense but it is needed for sanitary purposes. A method of reducing this cost is to buy your toothbrush wholesale. There is the option to buy a set of four toothbrushes or a set of ten, so you can choose which option works better for you. If you buy your bamboo toothbrush wholesale with GreenLiving then you can rest easy in the knowledge that you are saving money and the environment at the same time!

Keep Reading:

Why are Bamboo Toothbrushes Better Than Plastic? (3 Main Reasons)