Is the toothbrush recyclable?
After all, is the toothbrush recyclable? Learn more about the composition of the product and how to dispose of it.
If you’re concerned about your own environmental impact, you’ve probably wondered whether your toothbrush is recyclable. This everyday product is essential to most people — in fact, a survey conducted in the United States found that toothbrushes ranked above cars, personal computers, and cell phones as an innovation that respondents couldn’t live without.
However, their importance has a toll on the environment. According to National Geographic , the total number of plastic toothbrushes produced, used, and discarded each year has been steadily increasing since the first one was manufactured in 1930.
Furthermore, considering that brushes should be replaced every three months, according to experts, this only contributes to the accumulation of plastic waste on the planet.
It is estimated that globally, more than 23 billion plastic toothbrushes are discarded every year and potentially end up in the wrong places, such as landfills . Therefore, questioning the recyclability of such an important and widely used item is essential to maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.
Is the toothbrush recyclable?
But, after all, is the toothbrush recyclable ?
Theoretically, all the materials that make up a toothbrush are recyclable. Handles made of molded polypropylene plastic, nylon bristles, and soft rubber parts are the typical components that make up a modern toothbrush.
However, there are some issues that make the process of reusing these materials difficult, especially when used in toothbrushes.
Although they are recyclable, toothbrushes are not of great interest to the recycling industry. Therefore, when sending them to selective collection, for example, it is possible that they will be discarded during waste separation and end up in landfills.
It is important to know how to dispose of them correctly, to avoid greater problems arising from pollution.
What to do with an old toothbrush?
Instead of throwing it away, you can reuse your old toothbrush for other household chores. Check out some tips on how to reuse this product:
- Cleaning: Old toothbrushes can be used to clean grout and other small areas.
- Applying hair dye: the size of the brushes is perfect for touching up roots.
- Cleaning your computer keyboard: Keyboards have small buttons with even smaller spacing. Therefore, using a toothbrush can help you reach places that you normally can’t reach with other products.
- Cleaning shoes: the dirt that accumulates on the rubber part of shoes can be removed with the help of a toothbrush.
Where to dispose of toothbrushes?
Does your toothbrush really have no other uses? Then it’s time to throw it away. Although it’s difficult to reuse the product’s materials, some places allow them to be sent for the correct disposal.
Want to know where to dispose of your old toothbrush? Check out our locator and find the nearest collection point .
Alternatives to plastic toothbrushes
If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of plastic toothbrushes, there are different types of sustainable toothbrushes that can help you replace the material — like the bamboo toothbrush .
