Eco Friendly: Would You Use A Bamboo Toothbrush?

When it comes to doing my part for the environment, I like shortcuts and small, convenient adjustments. Are people out there living a more eco-conscious life? Absolutely. But I think adopting ANY greener habit is better than none at all. Giving something your honest effort matters a lot, too.

Maybe you're in the same boat -- unready for a daunting lifestyle overhaul, but totally open to integrating easy changes into their routine. So, I'm sharing the eco-conscious tweaks I've personally adopted with little or no hassle, and that have actually stuck!

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Let's talk bamboo toothbrushes.

I was completely oblivious that it takes 400+ years for plastic toothbrushes to decompose. Which means every discarded plastic toothbrush EVER is in some landfill right now, buried in filth but very much STILL ON THE PLANET. It's a disgusting visual (sorry!) but also a very compelling one.

Quick solution: Use another kind of toothbrush.

Seriously? So doable! Reaching for a different brand on the pharmacy shelf is hardly a burden. And loads more options are available online, which is even easier than going to a store :)

Decided to test out this brand a few months ago. Here's what I learned:

Pros:

1. The handle and packaging are biodegradable. (If you break the handle into pieces, it will decompose faster.)

2. Basically the same price as a traditional toothbrush, and lasts just as long.

3. Works like every other manual toothbrush I've ever owned lol nothing fancy or unusual.

Cons:

1. The bristles are nylon, which take like 70 years to decompose...

...meaning you need to yank them out before composting the rest of the brush.

2. Doesn't fully dry in the toothbrush caddy. (I rest mine somewhere else until the handle dries off.)

3. Wood texture takes getting used to, it's not smooth like plastic brush handles.

Question mark:

1. Given their typically basic design, are these brushes as effective as more tricked-up plastic options, long term?

Conclusion:

There's no denying bamboo toothbrushes are significantly greener.

Look, it's not a perfect alternative to traditional brushes. Removing, then tossing, the nylon bristles is really aggravating and still wasteful, though way less so than a fully synthetic version. Throwing out the whole bamboo one, you're looking at decades of pollution, but plastic would last centuries.

I still plan to triple-check with my dentist, but based on everything I've read online, bamboo toothbrushes are totally suitable for maintaining proper dental hygiene.

My take is that, if you already use a manual toothbrush anyway, the switch is worth a shot!

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Becoming more eco-friendly isn't all or nothing. Don't feel defeated because you can't do THE MOST. You're doing your best :)

Image credit (top): Bamboodu
Image credit (bottom): The Sustainability Project