It may seem obvious to think that oral health is incompatible with the environment when we look at how our teeth are cared for. However, this is false.
It is possible to save 12 litres by turning off the water tap when brushing. But there is another connection all of us share: it revolves around toothbrushes.
Toothbrushes are an essential part of daily life. They clean our teeth twice daily, morning and night, for approximately two minutes.
The shelf life of a toothbrush is however very short. According to the theory, each toothbrush should only be used 180 times in a period of three months.
Sourcing premium plastics
Plastics are important for many reasons. They can easily be moulded, are durable, and are easy to clean.
But, it is well-known that manufacturing, transport, as well as disposability, have a significant environmental impact. It is time to rethink our approach towards plastics.
One of the most popular and widely used types of plastic is recycled plastic. However, it might not be the best material for oral health products. It could contain dangerous materials that should be avoided in direct contact with your mouth.
It is unlikely that any of the recycled plastics will make their way into toothbrushes. These can still be excellent packaging options.
Current trends in the field of oral health include the adoption bio-based plastics as well as other renewable plastics.
These products are made from sugarcane oil and caster oil plants. This is a good thing. This helps reduce our dependency on fossil-based materials and leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
Product life and Carbon neutral
Each of us must take seriously the challenge of combating climate change and the associated consequences. Climate change is caused primarily by carbon emissions. They lead to shrinking water resources, more severe weather, and changes in the supply of food.
This is the first step towards reducing our carbon emissions and making our energy more sustainably.
TePe, the Oral Health Foundation and others are committed to achieving UN Goals of Climate Change. The latter will work towards carbon neutrality for products, packaging and services by 2022. This goal is admirable, and it should be followed by other manufacturers and oral care suppliers.
Companies must change fundamentally their business models to be carbon neutral. These methods are still being refined, but it’s crucial that manufacturers look at ways to extend the product’s useful life.
We must improve the sustainability of oral hygiene products in order to reduce plastic pollution. It is important to reduce waste.
Reusing Plastics
Not only must oral care companies take responsibility for prolonging the life expectancy of toothbrushes, but individuals and their families also have to do this.
Our research shows that 4/5 of people (or 80%), use their toothbrushes to serve an alternative purpose. This is good news for the environment.
Bathroom tiles are most commonly used to scrub them (40%). Cleaning is the most preferred theme. Nearly a third (28%) of us use our old toothbrushes for cleaning various kitchen appliances. 26%) Use our jewelry to give shine and 18% use toothpaste to polish our shoes.
Popular uses include cleaning out car and bike tires, computer keyboards, and fish tank tanks. A clean sweep all-round!
After cleaning the gums and teeth, the toothbrush can be used for other purposes. Due to their superior quality and control, more toothbrushes feature rounded nylon bristles.
A toothbrush’s grip is another important factor in making it a powerful cleaning instrument. The toothbrush’s grip should feel natural and comfortable.
It’s easy to be eco-friendly and extend your toothbrush’s life span by recycling more plastics.