1. Reusable or disposable plastic?
2. Why do manual toothbrushes recycle so poorly?
3. What about electric toothbrushes?
4. Collection programs: how do they work?
5. Our action to reduce plastic waste
Each year, more than 10 million tons of plastic end up in nature or the oceans, which has significant consequences for the environment and marine ecosystems. This figure should triple by 2040 according to National Geographic magazine! 😟
Out of this quantity of plastic, used toothbrushes represent more than 5,000 tonnes of waste in France (yes, yes!). A figure that may seem surprising when you know that the French only change their toothbrush on average every 8 months (compared to the maximum 3 months recommended by dentists and the UFSBD ). 😥
However, this disastrous ecological impact is mainly due to the fact that it is very complicated to recycle a toothbrush , especially if it is made of plastic, and this, even if you practice selective sorting by throwing your brush in the proper trash can . 🛢
And this difficulty of recycling poses many problems since the management of plastic waste is one of the key points and major issues in terms of ecology today, in France and in all developed countries.
So, what are the recycling systems in place in France for this waste? Is there a zero waste toothbrush? MyVariations explains... 🧐
Reusable or disposable plastic?
Plastics can be divided into two main categories:
| Single-use ones (cups, straws, bags, water bottles...) 🥤 |
| Those that are reusable (garden chairs, water bottles, bike helmets…) 🚴♀️ |
Single-use plastics, which are intended for only one use, tend to end up more in nature because they are generally used in larger quantities and are therefore thrown away much more often, and not always in the bins provided. this effect. 🙁
Toothbrushes are between the two categories of plastics since they are used twice a day for several months, but still end up being thrown away and replaced , for reasons of hygiene in particular. 🗑️
Plastic toothpaste tubes, mouthwash bottles or even certain dental floss or interdental brushes are thrown away after a month or two on average, but do belong to the category of single-use plastics, because even if there are refillable tubes, a conventional toothpaste tube is never reused and constitutes waste that is difficult to recycle. 😢
Why do manual toothbrushes recycle so poorly?
The answer to this question is quite simple. In reality, while the handle of your toothbrush is most of the time made of plastic, your brush also contains other elements that are almost impossible to recycle. We can cite the bristles in particular, whether they are soft bristles or not , but also the small staples which hold them firmly in place on the head. 🔧
And this is also the case of bamboo brushes, falsely perceived as more ecological, "zero waste", and better for the environment.
In addition, the recycling of this waste also depends on the proper functioning and efficiency of waste sorting, processing and collection systems, depending on the local authorities . Indeed, not all manage these elements in the same way, and not all have the same means to recycle plastic, including that of our used toothbrushes. 🪥
It is these factors that are largely responsible for the very low likelihood of your toothbrushes being recycled. 🤷♀️
What about electric toothbrushes?
Electric toothbrushes , for the majority anyway, are made up of two main elements; on the one hand the brush head with its bristles, and on the other hand the handle which contains the motor and the electronic system. 🪥
So, when you should throw away and then change the entire brush in the case of a manual toothbrush, when it comes to an electric model, it is only the head that needs to be replaced. The head represents a lot less plastic than an entire manual toothbrush, even if it is not a "zero waste" option either. 🙃
In addition to the superior brushing efficiency of electric toothbrushes compared to manuals, there is another good reason to choose them, especially sonic vibration electric toothbrushes from the MyVariations brand, a company that is committed to a recycling program for used heads (we tell you more about it below 😊).
Brush collection programs: how do they work?
Several programs using the system of collection points are beginning to be created in France in particular, with the aim of alleviating the concern for recycling toothbrushes. 👍
The handles of manual brushes but also the heads of electric toothbrushes, these programs recycle them to transform them.
We can cite names like the Terracycle program, or the Recycle Your Toothbrush program, which transforms used brushes into flowerpots to give them a new life! 🌸
Our action to reduce plastic waste
At MyVariations , we have an important role to play in order to prevent our toothbrushes from ending up in nature or the oceans 🌊
That's why we decided to promote the recycling of used brush heads as much as possible thanks to an awareness program present in all our shipments ✉️
Thus, in each shipment for our customers, we add a small recycled paper flyer that explains how to recycle brush heads ✅
In concrete terms, how does that work ?
You can go to www.recycletabrosseadents.com to locate the collection point closest to you, drop them off and have your brush heads recycled into flower pots 🌼
If ever there is no collection point near you, we encourage you to keep your used brush heads and send them directly to us so that we can recycle them for you ♻️
In addition, we are also working on manufacturing recycled plastic brush heads to further reduce our impact on the planet!
