Can Toothbrush Heads Be Recycled?

One of the major shifts, which have gradually occurred over the last few years, is the decline of manual toothbrushes and the subsequent emergence of electric toothbrushes. This shift is backed by a new study, which claims that people who use electric toothbrushes as compared to those using manual toothbrushes have healthier teeth and gums and less tooth decay. The entire experience of using an electric toothbrush is better as compared to a manual toothbrush; the toothbrush provides an overall better cleaning and brushing experience.

Furthermore, these toothbrushes can help a child develop a proper brushing schedule and make sure they make it a part of their routine. These toothbrushes do the work for the person, and the sleek design they have makes them more attractive as compared to the old brushes being used by children. There are some minuscule drawbacks to these brushes as well. 

A child might rely on the brush to do all the work and might not develop a proper brushing technique. This might affect their oral health in the long run rather than immediate short-term problems for them. Secondly, these electric brushes have to be charged to function when it is time to brush. Thus, these things must be kept in mind before making a shift towards or continuing with an electric toothbrush.

The question of sustainability

One of the most important questions that must be answered while considering the shift toward electric toothbrushes is that of sustainability. Are electric toothbrushes the most sustainable option available?

One of the biggest drawbacks of manual toothbrushes, especially plastic ones is their inability to be recycled. They end up in landfills or the ocean because there is no way possible of recycling these. Comparatively, electric toothbrushes can be considered to be a more environmentally friendly option as their bodies can last years as compared to manual toothbrushes, which have to be replaced every three months. The heads of the electric toothbrushes only have to be replaced after every three months, which in turn results in less waste as compared to a manual toothbrush. If you’re looking for recyclable electric toothbrush heads, you can visit LiveCoco. 

A counterpoint that is raised by most is about the battery of these brushes. Among the most important things that cause concern for many of the users of electric brushes are the batteries of these brushes, which are known factors in causing harm to our environment. Many believe that this charging ability and the nature of electric toothbrushes to consume energy have a greater negative impact on the environment as compared to their older counterparts.

When people only have to replace the head instead of the entire body of the toothbrush in three months, it means that the amount of plastic that is being produced has decreased. This decrease in the amount of plastic that is being produced might not seem that substantial or groundbreaking at first, but with time the impact of the lesser amount of plastic that is not being produced can be understood. The lesser plastic being produced directly correlates to less plastic ending up in landfills and oceans due to its inability to be recycled.

Recycling of electric toothbrushes

Similar to all other things, when an electric toothbrush is properly recycled, the specialist at the recycling plants will be able to break them down and extract the materials from them. Electric toothbrushes comprise various parts, and each part has to be recycled differently. Another thing that seems too simple but is often overlooked by many people is that one should never throw their electric toothbrushes in the bin, and proper recycling practices must be followed. The electric toothbrush comprises batteries that power it, and when these batteries are pressed or damaged, they can cause a fire.

The electric toothbrush has two parts, the disposable head and the plastic handle. The head of the toothbrush can be disposed of, while the electric components have to be handled with care. If there is nothing wrong with the handle of the brush, try using it for a slightly longer period to limit the waste that is caused by the plastic and battery component of the brush.

Another thing that can be seen is the launch of brush heads for manual brushes, which can be clicked on to the body of the brush, and this results in less plastic being used and consumed by the customers. This also positively impacts the environment as less and less plastic ends up in landfill and oceans as a result of this.

Can Oral-B brush heads be recycled?

The brush heads of electric toothbrushes can be recycled with various take-back schemes and specialist programs where the person sends their brush heads back to either the program created by the company or the external company that is currently running a similar program.

LiveCoco is running a recycling program where an individual packs up their used toothbrush heads and sends them to the address where the process of recycling begins.

What can be done?

There are recyclable brush heads available in the market that make use of biodegradable material and do not negatively impact the environment. These brush heads are compatible with most brands. Choosing these brushes can take your mind off the impact of your oral health on the environment, and can continue to use electric toothbrushes. 

These recyclable brush heads can be found at www.livecoco.com. These are not only environmentally friendly but also have been approved by dentists and environment specialists for their ability to be good for maintaining oral health and being environmentally friendly.