Why Choose An Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrush
If everyone in the US replaced their toothbrush every 3-4 months (the recommended time frame), over one billion toothbrushes would be thrown away every year—the majority of which are plastic.
Unfortunately, going electric isn’t the solution. The main body is usually made of plastic and most replacement heads are also plastic with nylon bristles.
A compostable manual toothbrush is still the best option for eco-friendly toothbrushes.
But can’t you recycle an electric toothbrush?
While it’s true that some components can be recycled, many Material Resource Facilities (MRF) won’t be too pleased with teeny-tiny components—especially if they have to dismantle it themselves.
Even TerraCycle has yet to accept electric toothbrush heads.
Then there’s the battery which requires difficult-to-mine metals like lithium (with often questionable workers’ rights) and it isn’t always easy to recycle either.
Design Life-Cycle did a lifecycle analysis on electric toothbrushes and flagged various issues regarding materials, energy use, and waste.
With around 55 million US brushers using electric toothbrushes, the toothbrush industry is in desperate need of a sustainability overhaul.
How We Found The Best Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrushes
We’ve previously discussed ethical electronics and answered what is sustainable technology?
The same considerations apply to sourcing electric toothbrushes with a lower environmental impact.
Admittedly, the options on this list aren’t perfect and there’s a long way to go to create a truly sustainable electric toothbrush. That said, some brands are moving things in the right direction.
So, what makes an electric toothbrush sustainable?
Compostable/Recyclable Materials:
Sustainable electric toothbrush heads that are mostly made of compostable materials help to curb the amount of plastic waste going to landfill.
Like bamboo electric toothbrushes.
Although the castor-oil bristles used by some brands aren’t technically “compostable” (because they take too long to break down in your home composter), they are at least plant-based and biodegradable and will eventually break down without leaving microplastics behind.
Fully recyclable plastic heads (which can be sent back for recycling) are also a more eco choice.
The main body of the toothbrush needs to be easily recyclable so that it doesn’t add to the growing amount of e-waste. Metal is the current best option, followed by recycled plastic.
The jury’s still a little out on the eco-friendliness of silicone. To a large extent, it depends on how it was manufactured. It’s potentially a great way to cut down on plastic waste, as it’s much more durable.
But would the other components of the toothbrush last this long?
If not, silicone isn’t biodegradable, nor is it widely recycled.
Minimal Charging:
Long-lasting and rechargeable battery life is a big plus. The most energy-efficient brushes only need to be charged twice a year.
Longevity/Durability:
Like battery life, the most eco-friendly electric toothbrushes should last a long time. Warranties are a good indicator of durability and how willing a brand is to stand behind its products.
Recycling Programs:
Whilst not all brands have one yet, those that do offer a recycling program make it easier for customers to properly recycle their old units.
The Future Of Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrushes
So, is there an eco-friendly electric toothbrush?
Compared to conventional electric toothbrushes, yes, but there’s a lot to unpick here. The ecological impact of electric toothbrushes can’t be brushed off easily.
And to tell the tooth, there’s a fair bit of greenwashing in the world of toothbrushes. We’d love to see brands being open and honest about the trials and tribulations of creating an eco electric toothbrush so that there can be more conversation to further the eco-efforts in the industry.
These are the changes we need to see to achieve the tricky task of (almost) perfecting a truly environmentally friendly electric toothbrush.
Materials:
Innovations in sustainable materials—like moving away from plastic to bio-based and biodegradable heads—makes the most sense for consumable parts like toothbrush heads.
If plastic is used, it needs to be recycled plastic that’s non-toxic and easily recyclable.
The main body of an eco-friendly electric toothbrush needs to be as durable and long-lasting as possible—and ideally compostable, biodegradable, or at least 100% recyclable.
Whether that’s bamboo, stainless steel, or something else, a true zero waste electric toothbrush must be able to be responsibly disposed of at the end of its useful life.
But given the difficulty of recycling a lithium battery and other electronic components, there is no such thing as a truly zero waste electric toothbrush (yet?).
Supply chain & labor practices:
Eco-friendly electric toothbrush brands are generally quiet regarding manufacturing and supply chains. We’d like to see more information about material sourcing, factory-specific details, and codes of conduct.
Green business practices:
To keep e-waste to a minimum, repair services are essential for prolonging the life of electrical appliances. Compared to other electronics, the small size of electric toothbrushes mean they’re much easier to send back for repair.
For when repair isn’t possible, brands need to be offering recycling services, even for compostable components because not everyone has access to composting.
Offsetting carbon emissions via carbon offset programs, plastic-free packaging, and use of renewable energy encourages us to brush for at least two minutes. We’re seeing some of this already, but more is always encouraged.
Community & charitable giving:
Nearly all brands on our list donate products and/or profit to charitable organizations, making us grin a little wider.
How To Properly Recycle Electric Toothbrushes
So you’ve done your homework and invested in a recyclable electric toothbrush.
Properly disposing of electronics is important if we’re going to tackle the increasing amount of e-waste.
Before recycling your toothbrush, consider first if it can be repaired either through the company or at a local repair shop. If you enjoy a challenge, have a go at a DIY repair (with YouTube’s help).
If your toothbrush is still working, consider selling or giving it away.
Once repair and re-sell options are exhausted, it’s time to recycle:
- Check to see if the company offers a recycling service.
- Check for local recycling options. You might have a local drop-off point (or you can start your own and raise money for schools or charities).
- TerraCycle has free, company-sponsored postage options for sending in bases and handles.
- Visit your local recycling center to see if they have a recycling bin to dispose of electronics. Some electronic stores also have bins you can use.
Final Thoughts On Sustainable Electric Toothbrushes
So, is an electric toothbrush eco-friendly?
Well, just like you might dread a dental appointment, our planet isn’t a big fan of electric-powered brushing.
That said, if you’re wondering “what can I use instead of an electric toothbrush?”, the answer’s simple.
A plastic-free manual toothbrush that is compostable or biodegradable is hands-down a better deal for the planet.
If you already have an electric toothbrush, keep it in use for as long as possible by repairing, reselling, and finally recycling it.
If you’re looking to buy, second-hand or refurbished models on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace are a good start. Maybe one that’s compatible with biodegradable bamboo toothbrush heads is better still.
If you’re buying new, consider brands that are making conscious efforts to reduce their products’ environmental impact.
We’ll grin from ear to ear if you share this article with family and friends. Let’s spread the word about the eco-nsiderations involved with keeping our planet as squeaky clean as our pearly whites.
