Obviously we’re not going to stop brushing our teeth or continue using the same toothbrush over and over again (that‘s just yuck!), so here are some other options:
1. Opt for a brush made from recycled materials.
The Recycline Preserve toothbrush has a handle made from recycled Stonyfield Yogurt cups. That’s not the only good thing about it. When you have finished using it, you can send it back to the company (in the envelope it provides) where it will again be reprocessed into material for plastic lumber. How cool is that?!
The good news doesn’t stop there; the brush comes in packaging which eliminates unnecessary waste. It’s made from recyclable materials, and the reusable brush canister “provides a sanitary holder to keep your brush clean and portable“.
Visit recycline.com for more information on how these toothbrushes are manufactured. You can even watch a video of the process that aired on Robert Redford’s show, The Green on the Sundance Channel.
This toothbrush can be purchased at Target, Wegman’s and online at greenfeet.com for a very reasonable $3.50. Check Recycline’s website for other stores in your area.
2. Opt for Replaceable Heads
This type of toothbrush can be found at any store. You would certainly help the environment when purchasing this type because you would be reducing the amount of plastic being thrown away. But you can do even better by purchasing a brush made from recycled materials or cellulose.
a) Radius offers the Intelligent toothbrush.
It not only uses replaceable heads, it is also made from sustainable natural cellulose and is battery operated. Radius will take back the handle for recycling once the battery dies (lasts through 6 replacement heads or about 18 months).
The Intelligent toothbrush also offers:
- 2 minute timer -- toothbrush beeps once and green light flashes once every 30 sec. to 2 minutes.
- 90 Day wear meter - after 180 uses the light changes to red to indicate time to check bristle wear. Depressing the button for 5 seconds resets the meter to zero.
- Radial bristling - first toothbrush in the world to have it. Makes brushing easier and more effective.
- They are available in soft or medium. Right or left hand.
- One brush runs $7.95, but you can buy 3 packs and 6 packs at significant savings. The replacement heads are 3 for $6.95. They ship from PA and the cost for either a 3 or 6 pack is $4.60.
Visit the radiustoothbrush.com website for more information.
b) Lotus Brands offers the Eco-Dent TerrAdenT toothbrush.
These brushes have snap-on replaceable heads. They cost about $3.00 each and can be purchased at most health food stores or online at eco-dent.com.
3. Join a Recycling Program
ToothbrushExpress.com has the ‘Save the Planet One Toothbrush at a Time’ recycling program. Sign-up to receive a new toothbrush at specific intervals which you specify. Along with the toothbrush, they will send you a postage-paid mailer for you to return your old toothbrushes. The brushes will be recycled into planters, decking or benches.
4. Reuse Your Brushes
So maybe you are picky and prefer a particular toothbrush; or maybe you feel finding one of the above brushes is a pain, what else can you do instead? Use it elsewhere of course. Here is a list of uses for your old toothbrush:
- Use as an eyebrow brush (I’ve done this for years; obviously clean it first)
- Scrub around faucets
- Clean grout
- Clean jewelry
- Spot clean clothing
- Clean fingernails
- Clean carpet stains
- Clean your garlic press
- Clean your screens
The list can go on forever; think of any small or tight space that needs to be cleaned.
In closing, here is the ultimate in recycling and reusing. Follow this link hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions/article/0,,HGTV_3268_1382191,00.html for an inspired craft project your daughter(s) would love!
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