This is one of those “why didn’t we have this already?” kind of products. A compostable toothbrush! Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect solution – read on to see why.
Every year in the United States some 450 million plastic toothbrushes make their way to landfills nationally! WOW. The majority of those toothbrushes will never biodegrade and will hang around for decades. To reduce those numbers, a company is launching the first compostable toothbrush in the US.
World Centric has unveiled a line of compostable toothbrushes and travel cases that are made from a plant based resin called Ingeo. The toothbrush and case are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). They are also more environmentally friendly, having a smaller carbon footprint because Ingeo takes less energy to produce than petroleum based plastic resins.
The World Centric toothbrush is designed to fully compost within 3 – 6 six months when sent to a commercial composting facility. Here’s the rub: simply throwing the World Centric toothbrush and case away and off to the landfill will not allow it to biodegrade. Landfills are created to avoid degradation and will not break down the toothbrushes. So, for those customers who don’t have access to a commercial composting facility in their area, World Centric provides a prepaid envelope that you can use return the toothbrush and case. World Centric will then send the returned product to a composting facility for biodegradation.
The soft bristles of the toothbrush are made of nylon but are not compostable. Apparently, the industry is still working to come up with bristles that are fully compostable. A notch between the head and the handle of the toothbrush is designed to make it easy to break off the head prior to sending it to the composting facility. The 7-inch World Centric toothbrush and case comes in blue, green and orange and sells for $4.55. They are available at natural grocery stores, some Whole Foods stores nationwide and online at: www.worldcentric.org.
That seems like a lot of work, and I wonder if people will really do it. Plus – is the fuel from shipping the toothbrush to the store and then back to the company – and then from the company to the composting plant going to offset the environmental cost of a toothbrush in a landfill? Would you buy one and return it? Personally, I use an electric toothbrush, but I do have a manual toothbrush that I use when traveling. I would definitely buy one of these, but the hard part would be getting me to return it. Thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.
Jen
This is a fab idea, and luv that World Centric includes a pre-paid envelope for returning the toothbrush. However, I tend to agree with you that even with the envelope (which will most likely get lost), I probably wouldn’t be very reliable when it comes to returning it.
I found this a very interesting post. Reminds me of the old cell phone return I’ve seen.
I also use an electric toothbrush at home and a manual one when I’,m traveling, just like you. I don’t think the price is not fair, it’s awesome, love the colors. I wonder how long you can use them. Like normal ones? I mean, do you change them more often like you so the normal ones? Personally, I think they still need to work a little on the return method. It’s way too complicated and more environmental damaging up to this point.
I can return it, for me it’s not that hard, I usually use the post offices services once a week or two so, I think I’m buying it and give it a try!!!
Interesting feedback on the compostable toothbrush! World Centric’s return program actually allows folks to fill out an online form and then World Centric will send a prepaid envelope to you so you can mail it back – which means you don’t have to keep track of an envelope the whole time you are using your toothbrush… instead just fill out the form when you are done with your toothbrush. You can do that at this link: http://www.worldcentric.org/prepaid&title=Toothbrush%20Return
As for environmental benefits – it’s true that there are transportation issues with the back and forth of envelopes – but the postal service will be running those routes anyway so your toothbrush and envelope are really just jumping on the bus, so to speak 🙂
Curious if your community has a commercial composting option? Find out here: http://www.findacomposter.com/
Rock on, Cristy. You totally make me feel like a loser for stating that this is “too hard” (to put an envelope in my medicine cabinet so that I don’t misplace it?). Yes, I like an electric-ish toothbrush at home; however, I am old enough to remember the days when good-old elbow grease was the way to brush those chompers…and my go-bag can never have anything battery-operated (sad, sad days; but that’s another story). Cristy, you have single-handedly inspired me to seek out the World Centric toothbrush.
Thanks for the response Matt – that is a really good point – the routes will be there whether your toothbrush is on board or not!
Ok, Matt’s response is very reassuring! Thanks a lot for the info, Matt! You really made your point!
I wonder whether just throwing it out under my own bushes in the backyard would allow it to decompose and compost? I am more likely to try that!
So true about the old carpets
Had an old cat that would piss everywhere…
The soft bristles of the toothbrush are made of nylon but are not compostable. Apparently, the industry is still working to come up with bristles that are fully compostable.
Plant-Based Compostable Toothbrush? Fantastic! I never tried to use one. I want to see the difference.