Bamboo toothbrushes are usually free of harmful substances, can be (at least partially) recycled and protect our natural resources. In contrast to toothbrushes made of plastic, the climate balance is significantly better, but the sustainable alternatives also have a weak point: According to the Federal Government of Hesse, bamboo has to cover long transport routes because the material mostly comes from China – and thus worsens the environmental balance. In addition, the brush head is not recyclable. Why this is and which manufacturers are recommended will be revealed below.
The bamboo toothbrushes from the Hydrophil brand are available in packs of 4. Unlike other manufacturers, the models are available in different colors (red, green, blue) – these are made naturally, are biodegradable and free of synthetic substances. In addition, you can choose between different degrees of hardness of the bristles made of BPA-free nylon: These are made of castor oil, a renewable raw material. Another benefit is that Hydrophil ships its bamboo toothbrushes in eco-friendly packaging made from recycled material.
And how does it apply to children? According to Johanna Kant, Chairwoman of the Federal Association of Pediatric Dentists, there is nothing wrong with even the little ones brushing their teeth with bamboo brushes: “Regardless of what type of toothbrush is used, it is important that the teeth are clean afterwards and that neither tooth substance nor tooth structure is left behind Gums can be damaged when brushing.”
According to the manufacturer, the sustainable toothbrush from Bambusliebe does not contain any harmful substances. The wave-like design is intended to ensure a good feeling in the hand, but what makes this model special is its bristles: These are made of bamboo viscose – this means that the toothbrush can be disposed of in one piece with organic waste. Another plus is the packaging made from recycled cardboard, so it is also free of plastic and completely vegan. The model is available individually, but also as a set of 3.
According to the manufacturer, Nature Nerds toothbrushes are made from sustainably grown bamboo and are also vegan and BPA-free. The unique design on the body of the brushes is also striking: this is by no means a lacquer or color print; instead, the motifs were engraved using a laser. Here too, plastic waste is completely avoided, and this of course also applies to the packaging.
This manufacturer also offers vegan bamboo toothbrushes that are completely biodegradable: the bristles are made of a BPA-free nylon variant and can be safely disposed of together with the body. Ecobamboo also attaches great importance to recyclable materials, including when it comes to packaging. What’s particularly nice is that even the plastic film used for each brush is made from corn starch.
According to Ökotest, there is another sensible alternative to toothbrushes made of plastic or bamboo – namely wood. However, it is important that when purchasing, you make sure that the manufacturer has processed a local species. This information can be recognized by the so-called “Forest Stewardship Council” seal (FSC for short). Then you can be sure that the wooden toothbrush supports sustainable and socially responsible forestry.
While toothbrushes used to be equipped with pig bristles, today all models are vegan – but still not 100 percent recyclable. And there is a simple reason for this: Most toothbrushes have bristles made of nylon, castor oil or bamboo viscose. The latter is actually supposed to be completely compostable, but many manufacturers often combine it with other materials and therefore have to be disposed of in residual waste or yellow bags. In other words, you first break off the head of the toothbrush and only throw the wooden or bamboo body into the organic waste or compost.
Sources: Utopia, Ökotest
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