Bamboo or electric toothbrush: Which is more sustainable?

Billions of toothbrushes are discarded each year, contributing significantly to environmental waste. How can we make brushing our teeth eco-friendlier?

According to the American Dental Association, people should replace their toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles fray. With billions used and discarded annually, researchers from University College London (UCL) Eastman Dental Institute and Trinity College Dublin conducted a study comparing the sustainability of different toothbrush types. They examined plastic manual, manual with replaceable heads, bamboo, and electric brushes using a life-cycle assessment (LCA), which evaluates a product’s environmental impact from creation to disposal. The study found that fossil fuel-derived polypropylene, used in plastic toothbrushes, had a significant environmental impact. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that of the 380 million tonnes of plastic waste produced globally each year, 43 million tonnes come from consumer products, with polypropylene accounting for about 3.7%.

The study revealed that electric toothbrushes had an environmental impact 11 times greater than bamboo brushes, largely due to their transport-related carbon footprint. However, manual plastic toothbrushes with replaceable heads performed best in terms of sustainability, followed closely by bamboo. This may be surprising, as bamboo, a fast-growing and biodegradable material, is often seen as an eco-friendly choice. Yet, Paul Ashley, professor of pediatric dentistry at UCL, explains that bamboo production can potentially limit land use for biodiversity or carbon offsetting, though it still has a lower environmental impact than conventional and electric brushes.

Patrick Verkland, CEO of The Humble Co., which manufactures bamboo and plant-based toothbrushes, notes that bamboo’s biodegradability is a key advantage. With most plastic toothbrushes persisting in the environment for centuries if not fully recycled, bamboo stands out as a sustainable alternative. Approximately 60% of The Humble Co.’s toothbrushes are fully plant-based, and the company aims to make all handles plant-based within the next year. The bristles, made from nylon, are an area the company is exploring for plant-based alternatives.

In the electric toothbrush market, Suri, a UK-based brand, has tackled sustainability challenges by designing a repairable brush with heads made from cornstarch and bristles from castor oil. Customers can return used heads for recycling, and Suri takes back brushes at the end of their life to salvage materials. Suri’s toothbrushes also have batteries that last two to three times longer per charge, extending their lifespan. According to a report by UK consumer magazine Which?, Suri is leading in green credentials among electric toothbrushes.

By choosing more sustainable toothbrushes, we can make a small but significant step toward reducing waste and protecting the environment.