Just think about it for a second...
There are 7 billion people in the world and most of them use plastic toothbrushes. It has been evaluated that 4-5 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year after a short usage. Only small amount is recycled and due to plastic toothbrushes material it can´t be used again, so after it has done its duty it will end up in the landfill or be burned as garbage.
Here's how plastic toothbrushes are polluting our planet.
Plastic toothbrushes are Non-Biodegradable
Did you know, that it can take up to 500 years for a plastic toothbrush to biodegrade? Have you ever thought, that the very first toothbrush you had as a toddler is still waiting to be decomposed in it´s original form? When plastic decomposes, it starts to shrink slowly, and at the same time it gives away toxins to soil and our water system. These small particles are called micro plastics. In nature these micro plastics gather toxic substances in to them selves and move their way along the foodchain until they reach our plates.
Plastic toothbrushes are a toxic combination of chemicals
Plastic toothbrushes are made from a combination of plastic material derived from crude oil, rubber and a mix of plastic and cardboard for the packaging.
Plastic toothbrushes pollute oceans and kill marine life
Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimetres long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life. They end up in our oceans and are washed up on our beaches or consumed by marine life.
Toxic Chemicals Emission
Plastics are known for their intoxicating properties while burning. These chemicals are dangerous to the health of all living things and can cause many diseases.
Oil Usage in Production
The industrial manufacturing procedure for plastic toothbrushes involves excessive use of crude oil. Bamboo toothbrushes also have a lower carbon footprint, as no oil has been extracted to make the material for the body of the brush.
Also, electric toothbrushes leak toxins into the environment
Electric toothbrushes too are typically made of plastic and rubber but also have the added negativity of requiring batteries. If the batteries are not disposed of properly, they are harmful to oceans and waterways harming wildlife and the environment.
What if everyone stopped using plastic toothbrushes?
Taking part in our 100K Challenge and swapping from a plastic toothbrush to ecological and responsibly manufactured bamboo toothbrush, you can reduce the use of unnecessary plastics.
We want to support the protection of the environment, and of every item sold, we give 3% to protecting the nature. In addition to this, if we reach our goal and get 100 000 plastic toothbrushes replaced with bamboo ones by the end of the year 2019, we will donate 20 000 to WWF.