Recycle Your Plastic Toothbrush: Easy, Eco-Friendly Ways

Plastic toothbrushes are difficult to recycle as they are made from multiple types of plastic, as well as nylon bristles, which are not recyclable. However, there are now several schemes that allow consumers to recycle their toothbrushes, such as the Philips Dental Care Free Recycling Programme and a similar scheme by Colgate. These programmes accept all brands of electric toothbrush heads and covers, electric flossing nozzles, flossing sticks, interdental brushes, dental floss containers, and manual toothbrushes. The collected material is sent to a facility where it is cleaned, shredded, washed, sorted, dried, and pelletized into hard-granulated plastic granules that can be used in new applications.

Recycling programmes for dental care products

One example of a recycling programme for dental care products is the Philips Dental Care Recycling Programme in partnership with TerraCycle®. This programme accepts a wide range of dental care waste, including electric toothbrush heads and covers, electric flosser nozzles, flossing sticks, interdental brushes, dental floss containers, and manual toothbrushes from all brands. The programme does not accept battery-operated toothbrushes, electric toothbrush handles, toothpaste tubes, and some packaging materials. Individuals and organisations can sign up for the programme through the TerraCycle® website and ship their dental care waste to a designated drop-off point or recycling centre.

Another initiative is the Colgate recycling scheme, which allows consumers to recycle toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrush packaging, electric and battery toothbrush heads, and toothpaste cartons for free. The scheme raises funds for schools or charities of the consumer's choice. Similar to the Philips programme, waste collected through the Colgate scheme is sent to TerraCycle®, where it is separated into different materials, shredded, and melted into plastic pellets that can be used to create new products.

In addition to these brand-specific programmes, some local grocery stores may accept used toothbrushes through their own recycling initiatives. Local councils may also collect small electrical items, including electric toothbrushes, so it is worth checking your local council's website for guidance on recycling these items.

To reduce waste from dental care products, individuals can also consider reusing old toothbrushes for household chores like scrubbing floors or cleaning car parts. Alternatively, bamboo toothbrushes with replaceable heads are an eco-friendly option, as bamboo is biodegradable and has a smaller ecological footprint than plastic.

Reusing plastic toothbrushes for household chores

Plastic toothbrushes can be reused for a variety of household chores and tasks, especially for cleaning. Toothbrushes are ideal for cleaning small, intricate spaces and items, due to their compact size and sturdy bristles. Here are some ways to reuse plastic toothbrushes for household chores:

Cleaning Grease and Grime

A toothbrush can be used to scrub away grease and grime from various surfaces. Dip the toothbrush in an antibacterial grease-cutting kitchen cleaner and use it to scrub the corners of splash guards. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary. You can also use a toothbrush to clean grease and dirt from computer keyboards. Simply dip the toothbrush in a solution of alcohol and water and scrub gently.

Cleaning Window and Shower Tracks

Toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning small spaces like window and shower tracks, as well as the areas around faucets and drains. The bristles can reach into tight corners and crevices, making it easier to remove dirt and grime.

Cleaning Grout

A toothbrush is an excellent tool for cleaning grout, especially in skinny joints between tiles. Allow the thin-set to get firm but not hard, then use the toothbrush to scrub away the excess.

Cleaning Jewellery

A slightly damp toothbrush can be used to gently clean delicate jewellery. Soak the jewellery in a solution of warm water and dishwashing soap for 20-40 minutes, then gently brush it with the toothbrush. Rinse the jewellery under warm running water to remove any remaining soap or dirt.

Spot Cleaning Stains

Toothbrushes can be used to spot clean stains and spills on clothes. Apply a cleaning agent to the stain and gently work it in with the toothbrush using an up-and-down motion. Avoid using a back-and-forth motion to prevent damaging the fabric fibres.

By reusing plastic toothbrushes for household chores, you can extend their useful life and reduce waste, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Eco-friendly alternatives to plastic toothbrushes

Plastic toothbrushes are a significant source of plastic pollution, with 3.5 billion throwaway plastic toothbrushes—usually made from polypropylene and nylon—bought each year around the world. Most end up in landfills or the ocean, contributing to plastic waste that can take up to 500 years to break down.

Fortunately, several eco-friendly alternatives to plastic toothbrushes are available. Here are some options to consider:

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Bamboo is a popular and fast-growing eco-friendly alternative to plastic. It is a sustainable material that grows quickly with relatively few resources and breaks down relatively easily in compost. Many bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable, but it's important to check the type of bristles used. Since there are few alternatives to nylon bristles, you may need to remove the bristles from the bamboo handle before composting. Some bamboo toothbrush manufacturers suggest snapping off the heads or pulling out the bristles with pliers before composting the handle.

Cornstarch Toothbrushes

Cornstarch is another biodegradable material used for eco-friendly toothbrushes. It is less porous than bamboo, making it less likely to become "smelly." The Humble Co. is a Swedish brand that offers cornstarch toothbrushes.

Boar Bristle Toothbrushes

Boar bristle toothbrushes are a fully biodegradable alternative, as both the bristles and handles (often made from bamboo or other biodegradable materials) can be composted. However, they involve "harvesting" bristles from animals, which may not align with animal welfare or vegan concerns. These toothbrushes can be harder to find but are available from manufacturers like Gaia Guy.

Neem Sticks

Neem sticks are a vegan and environmentally friendly option. To use a neem stick, you chew the bark to expose the inside of the stick, which is then used for cleaning the teeth.

In addition to choosing eco-friendly toothbrushes, you can also reduce your environmental impact by properly disposing of your old toothbrushes. You can repurpose them for household chores like scrubbing floors and polishing jewelry or contact your local recycling center to see if they accept the types of plastic toothbrushes you have. Some local grocery stores may also accept used toothbrushes through their own recycling programs.

How to recycle electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes must be disposed of as e-waste due to their batteries. If not managed properly, batteries can cause fires in the waste stream if they are crushed or damaged. Therefore, it is important to recycle your electric toothbrush properly.

Oral-B has a free national recycling program where you can send in used Crest, Oral-B, and Fixodent oral care products, including electric toothbrushes, toothbrush chargers, and refill brush heads. You can request a free shipping label from their website, gather and put your materials in a box, and send them over.

Alternatively, you can use online resources like Earth911 to find the nearest recycling facility that accepts electric toothbrushes. Many regions have electronic waste recycling facilities that accept electric toothbrushes, so check with your local waste management authorities for specific locations. Some councils collect electricals for recycling, either with your regular waste collection or by special arrangement, so be sure to contact your council or check their website.

Before sending your electric toothbrush for recycling, you can also try to mend it and continue using it, or donate it to a charity if it is still in working condition.

How to recycle toothpaste tubes

Toothpaste tubes are often made with a combination of different plastics and a thin layer of aluminium. This mix of materials makes them hard to recycle and it is unlikely that they are accepted through your local recycling collection. However, there are some options for recycling toothpaste tubes.

Firstly, you can check if your local recycling centre accepts the type of plastic your toothpaste tube is made from. If they do, they may instruct you to drop off the material at a collection centre.

Another option is to use a recycling programme such as the free TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Programme. Through this programme, you can fill a box with any brand of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers and mail it back to TerraCycle for recycling. You can download a free shipping label from the TerraCycle website to ship your items for recycling.

There are also brand-specific recycling programmes, such as the Crest and Oral-B Recycle On Us programme, which accepts used Crest, Oral-B, and Fixodent oral care products, including toothpaste tubes.

When recycling toothpaste tubes, it is important to remove any leftover toothpaste from the tube before sending it for recycling.

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