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small tool, big impact: brushing up on the eco-benefits of bamboo toothbrushes

small tool, big impact: brushing up on the eco-benefits of bamboo toothbrushes

You’ve heard that bamboo toothbrushes are better for the environment, but do you know exactly why? Of course, at face value, bamboo seems better than plastic. It’s natural, it’s biodegradable, and it’s not very resource intensive...things that plastic simply can’t claim. But there are even more bamboo toothbrush benefits below the surface. From sequestering carbon during the growth phase to releasing fewer greenhouse gasses during the manufacturing phase, bamboo toothbrushes have a far smaller environmental footprint than their plastic counterparts, and they’re gentler on your oral microbiome. Sounds like a win-win to us! Now, to shine a light on all the positives of the bamboo toothbrush, let’s dive into some of the negatives of the plastic toothbrushes that have been around (and will stay around) for far too long. how long does it take for a plastic toothbrush to decompose? Experts estimate that it takes around 500 years (maybe even up to 1,000 years) for a single plastic toothbrush to decompose. Even then, the pieces simply decompose into smaller microplastics, which have the power to pollute ecosystems in a less obvious way. It’s difficult (if not impossible) to recycle plastic toothbrushes because they’re so durable, and their small parts can clog up recycling equipment. Most get lost in the process and make their way to landfills, open fields, oceans, rivers, and other waterways, harming delicate ecosystems and precious wildlife. The plastic toothbrush, as we know it, has only been around since 1938....meaning every conventional toothbrush that has ever been made is still lingering around out there. (That’s part of the reason why we don’t truly know how long it takes for one to decompose.) You’ve probably heard us say before that 1 billion toothbrushes (equal to roughly 50 million pounds of plastic waste) end up in landfills every year in the US alone. Isn’t it time we switched to a better option, say the bamboo toothbrush? other environmental impacts of plastic toothbrushes Did you know that both the toothbrush handle and bristles in a conventional toothbrush are derived from petroleum oil? This leads to a lot of environmental pollution throughout the manufacturing process: extracting the petroleum oil → transporting it → refining it for manufacturing → and managing the plastic waste at the end of life. P.S. If you’re set on a plastic toothbrush, using a toothbrush with a replaceable head can help you reduce plastic toothbrush waste by 30%. But we much prefer our bamboo toothbrush, and we’ve outlined exactly why below. bamboo toothbrushes can decompose in just a few weeks If you send your bamboo toothbrush to your local commercial composting facility, it will decompose in just a few weeks. Five weeks for a bamboo toothbrush versus 500 years for a plastic toothbrush? We’ll take that any day. Worst case scenario, if you even just throw your bamboo toothbrush into your garden, it will still only take up to 10 years to decompose. But we recommend stocking up on bamboo toothbrushes and getting to know your local composting facility. Just search “commercial compost near me” to get to know your local spots. Now, let’s talk about some of the less obvious benefits of a bamboo toothbrush. Unlike plastic, bamboo is a real plant! Did you know that it can absorb 2x the carbon dioxide that trees can while generating 30% more oxygen? On top of that, bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can thrive in many environments without harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Throughout the manufacturing process, bamboo toothbrushes involve less energy, less water, and less greenhouse gas emissions than their plastic counterparts. What’s not to love? why do we call ours the best bamboo toothbrush? We’ll be the first to say that opting for any bamboo toothbrush is better for the planet than continuing on the path of plastics. With so many on the market, we wanted to round up a few important details that set our bamboo toothbrush apart from the competition. 100% natural bamboo handle: if you see color or other embellishments on your bamboo toothbrush, you might want to ask if it’s 100% natural bamboo. Our bamboo toothbrushes are just that…true bamboo. plant-derived, BPA-free bristles: our soft, BPA-free bristles are derived from castor oil. Unlike many others that are derived from petroleum oil, even our bristles are better for the environment (and your body) than their conventional counterparts. soft, gentle mouthfeel: our soft high-performance bristles deliver a powerful clean that removes plaque without being too harsh on your enamel, gums, and mucosal lining. The natural bamboo is easy to grip, allowing you to easily and gently maneuver it in those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth. sleek and minimalistic: everyone loves a toothbrush that looks as good as it performs, and ours sports a simple, natural look that will shine on your bathroom shelves. While 30 billion toothbrushes worldwide can feel like a problem too big to face, we want to encourage you that together, our small daily steps can add up to big leaps in the right direction. There’s power in numbers, and if we all begin the transition to daily oral care products that are better for the planet (and your body), we can make a big difference. Why not start the journey with a bamboo toothbrush? buy now
bamboo toothbrush why you should add a bamboo toothbrush into your oral care routine

why you should add a bamboo toothbrush into your oral care routine

As a brand that’s committed to creating products that sustain nature+you, we’re so excited to add bamboo toothbrushes to our product lineup. Not only are bamboo toothbrushes the perfect complement to our natural toothpaste, they offer many benefits for your oral health....and the health of the planet. Read along to discover these amazing benefits as well as some tips and tricks to properly dispose of your bamboo toothbrushes to ensure they decompose quickly and effectively! bamboo toothbrush benefits for your oral health It’s no secret that bamboo toothbrushes are better for the planet. But did you know that they also offer a bunch of benefits when it comes to your oral + overall health? Let’s take a look at a few. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial. That’s why it’s a common material used for kitchen utensils and cutting boards. Unlike plastic, bamboo works naturally to kill bacteria that penetrate its surface. The handle is easy to grip. Bamboo toothbrushes tend to be easier to grip than plastic toothbrushes, as plastic gets very slick when wet. This makes it easier to get to those harder-to-reach spots of your mouth. The bristles are soft and effective. The bristles on bamboo toothbrushes are the same as their plastic counterparts, so you can rest assured that the bristles are just as soft and effective as conventional toothbrushes. Bamboo toothbrushes look great. As you can probably tell from the packaging of our natural toothpaste, we actually care about the aesthetic of your oral care products. They’re often the first thing you see in the morning, so we want the look to bring you a sense of calm and joy. The natural look of a bamboo toothbrush accomplishes this effortlessly. The benefits don’t stop there. Let’s take a look at exactly how bamboo toothbrushes are better for the planet, too. bamboo toothbrush benefits for the planet A sustainable alternative to conventional toothbrushes, bamboo toothbrushes can help you on your journey to reduce your impact on the environment. Bamboo toothbrushes reduce landfill waste. It’s estimated that 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year in the US alone. That translates to 50 million pounds of landfill waste! Bamboo toothbrushes are a great way to combat this, as they are compostable and biodegradable! When disposed of properly (which we’ve outlined in the next section), it can take just a few months for a bamboo toothbrush to decompose and return to the earth. Bye-bye, BPA. Good news for you and the planet: using a bamboo toothbrush can help you reduce your exposure to BPA (bisphenol A), an industrial chemical that’s been linked to many health issues. A lot of conventional plastic toothbrushes still contain BPA, unless otherwise specified. With our bamboo toothbrush, you don’t have to worry about BPA at all. It won’t be a part of your oral care routine, and it won’t end up in your trash can once you’re ready to replace your toothbrush. Seeing your bamboo toothbrush can inspire more sustainable choices. Your toothbrush is often one of the first things you see in the morning....and one of the last things you see before bed. A sustainable toothbrush can serve as an important reminder to make sustainable choices all day long. Now, let’s get into the specifics of disposing of your bamboo toothbrush in a way that’s good for the environment. how to “throw away” your bamboo toothbrush To ensure that you get the most out of your bamboo toothbrush, and it breaks down as quickly as possible when you’re finally done with it, we recommend following these steps. Consider upcycling your bamboo toothbrushes. You can use it as a tool to scrub tiny crevices in your bathroom or consider using the handles for something like garden markers/plant labels. But when your bamboo toothbrush finally reaches its end of life... Remove the bristles. We recommend using pliers to pull them out. Compost your bamboo toothbrush handles. The handle of your bamboo toothbrush is 100% biodegradable, but the time it takes to biodegrade will depend on your disposal method. Here’s a breakdown (pun intended). Commercial compost:  In an industrial composter, your bamboo toothbrush will decompose in just a few weeks. This is much faster than an at-home composter because temperatures are much higher, and there are more microorganisms breaking down the compost. To get your toothbrush into an industrial composter, put it in your “yard waste” bin. Not sure if you have a yard waste bin or how to register for one? Check out this guide by earth911. At-home compost: If you have an at-home composter, you can dispose of it there, where it will take about 4-6 months to decompose. Plant it: You can actually plant your bamboo toothbrush horizontally in your garden soil where it will take roughly 3 years to decompose. Throw it in the garden: Don’t worry, your bamboo toothbrush will still decompose even If you simply throw it in your garden But it’ll take 5-10 years to fully break down. We recommend checking to see what compost options and facilities are available in your area. If you don’t already compost at home, we hope your bamboo toothbrush inspires you to start! sustain nature+you As you may know, all of our products are created to sustain nature+you. Our natural toothpaste was developed using intentional ingredients that promote your oral+holistic health and the well-being of the planet. Because all of our zero waste toothpaste ingredients are sourced and derived from nature, they do not harm the environment when they return through your sink’s drain. On top of that, we use recyclable and sustainable packaging to ensure we do not contribute to landfill waste. (Have you seen our aluminum toothpaste tubes?) The bamboo toothbrush is a natural addition to our product assortment. It’s the perfect tool to pair with our natural toothpaste for a holistic oral care routine that sustains both nature+you.   buy now.

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