A few months ago I got my first bamboo toothbrush
and I think you should all get one as well.
Here is why:
- Plastic toothbrushes came onto the market in 1938 and since then every single tooth brush that got produced still exists somewhere on the planet.
- Toothbrushes are made from a combination of plastic (which is made from crude oil), rubber for the hand piece and nylon for the bristles.
- In addition to that they come in a packaging of plastic and cardboard.
- For our dental hygiene we are advised to change our toothbrushes every three months. With an average life expectancy of 75 years each one of us will consume about 300 toothbrushes during our lifetime, about 12 pounds of plastic waste.
- All over the world over 4.7 billon toothbrushes are produced annually that end up in the landfills or the environment.
Why if there is an alternative?
Bamboo India and other companies produce
environment-friendly toothbrushes that will decompose along with your other
household waste after you throw them.
Their handle is made of bamboo which is the fastest growing plant
on the planet and grows in abundance in India.
- During their life span bamboo produces considerably more oxygen and binds considerably more CO2 than hard wood trees.
- Bamboo also doesn’t require any chemical fertilizer to grow which protects the soil and does not add any chemicals to the environment.
- After harvesting, virtually every part of the plant is used to make a wide variety of products. From soil-enriching mulch to beautiful furniture to chopsticks, every part of the plant can be utilized.
All this makes bamboo an incredibly sustainable plant, which
has the potential to save us and the environment from a lot of harm.
When you buy your Bamboo toothbrush check what the bristles
are made of. Some companies use nylon 4. This is a special kind of nylon which
is 100% biodegradable. Others use regular nylon which you should pluck of your
toothbrush before you throw it into your composter.
Also bamboo is naturally antibacterial.
So many reasons to immediately switch to a sustainable
eco-friendly dental hygiene. I have ordered mine from Bamboo India, which sends
you your toothbrush also in 100% biodegradable packaging. (www.bambooindia.com)
One step towards a life without plastic waste is made! My
next target is to find a way to produce my own tooth paste (powder) so I won’t
have to purchase anymore tubes. If anyone has any experience on that please get
in touch with me J I
will start experimenting on that soon and update as soon as I find something to
recommend.
