Bamboo toothbrushes are an alternative to more traditional plastic manual toothbrushes.
They are growing in popularity due to the biodegradable material that can be sourced in a more sustainable way, and help reduce plastic waste.
It is recommended that you change your toothbrush on average every three to four months. There are various reasons why but doing so basically ensures your toothbrush continues to do an effective cleaning job.
Due to the number of times you need to change your brush, disposing of a bamboo toothbrush properly is essential to ensure it has the least environmental impact.
Here we break down how to properly dispose of a bamboo toothbrush…
Consider the Components of Your Bamboo Toothbrush
Before disposing of your bamboo toothbrush, it’s important to understand the different components that make up the brush.
Typically, a bamboo toothbrush consists of a bamboo handle and bristles often made from nylon or other synthetic materials. Often these materials will not be biodegradable so bear this in mind.
Packaging is another consideration that people forget about. Many bamboo toothbrushes come in recyclable or compostable packaging.
At Sustuff our bamboo toothbrushes are built a little differently. Our handle is crafted from aluminium and comes in two colours, jungle green and eclipse black.
The handle on our minimalist brushes is designed to last and does not need to be disposed of every time you need a new brush.
That is because our brushes come with replacement heads that you can unscrew and replace with ease every three to four months.
All of our replacement heads have a body made with 100% biodegradable bamboo, FSC-certified as sustainably-sourced.
The bristles are crafted from renewably-sourced castor bean plants instead of fossil fuels. You can buy replacement heads for £8.99 whenever you need.
Step-by-Step Disposal Guide
Remove the Bristles/head
The first step in disposing of your bamboo toothbrush is to either remove the bristles or the whole head.
Some bamboo toothbrushes are made from nylon, and for these brushes you won’t be able to compost them.
For brushes with nylon bristles, you can use a pair of pliers to pull out the bristles. Although this might be time consuming.
Alternatively, you can cut off the head of the toothbrush where the bristles are attached. This method is quicker but may result in some waste.
Compost the Bamboo Handle/Heads
After removing the bristles, the bamboo handle or brush head can be composted.
Bamboo is a natural material that will break down over time. Here’s how you can compost the handle:
Home Composting if you have a compost bin at home, simply add the bamboo handle or head to your compost pile. It will decompose along with other organic materials.
If your local municipality offers composting services, you can include the bamboo handle or head in your compostable waste.
Ensure that the handle or head is clean and free from any synthetic materials before composting.
Reuse or Repurpose
Another option to consider is to reuse or repurpose the bamboo handle or other components. Here are some creative ideas:
You could use the bamboo from your brush as a garden marker for your plants. Simply write the plant name on the handle and place it in the soil.
Bamboo handles or heads can also be used in various craft projects. They can be painted, carved, or used as part of a DIY project.
The bamboo brush heads can be used as a cleaning tool for hard-to-reach places.
Why Proper Disposal Matters
Proper disposal of bamboo toothbrushes will help you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. This contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Due to the amount of times that one person replaces toothbrushes over their lifetime, disposing of them properly after usage will make a difference in the long-term.
Take The Next Step to Better Brushing
Disposing of a bamboo toothbrush properly is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to environmental sustainability.
Check out our range of minimalist bamboo toothbrushes today and discover a plastic alternative product where the heads can be swapped in meaning the handle is kept for longer.