There are plenty of toothbrushes available at health food stores making eco-friendly claims. From bamboo to recycled plastic, these toothbrushes are mostly designed to be disposable, which, of course, is a problem.

Disposable plastic toothbrushes may seem like a small problem until you consider these astounding facts:

Plastic toothbrushes however convenient does have a huge impact on our earth when disposed and left in landfills. There are 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes produced annually with each brush lasting about 1000 years, and there are over 80 million pounds of toothbrushes that are thrown into North American landfills each year.

Re-Brush

Re-Brush is a different kind of eco-friendly toothbrush that has been thoughtfully developed. First beginning as a Kickstarter campaign, Re-Brush has been in development for two years.

The first component of this unique eco-friendly toothbrush is the handle. It is constructed of aluminum, which means it is durable, built to last, and is fully recyclable. Unlike toothbrush handles made of wood, the Re-Brush aluminum handle will not become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

The materials for the Re-Brush head are also carefully considered. Corn-derived PLA is used. It is compostable; however, in the US consumers don’t have easy access to commercial composting facilities for plastics. Re-Brush solves this problem by asking customers to send their heads back. They then remove the bristles, break the PLA head into small pieces, and ship it off for composting.

I am continually impressed with the thoughtfulness and development of this product. Take for example the nylon bristles. Re-Brush makes sure they are re-used into new products like doormats when consumers return them to the company.

Since you are supposed to change your toothbrush head every three months, Re-Brush does offer a subscription plan. For just $4.99, a new brush head will be sent to you every three months.

The toothbrush heads easily screw into the aluminum handle and stay put with use. The simple design is aesthetically pleasing.

All of the choices we make, from the small ones to the big ones, have an impact. The problem of plastics ending up in our oceans is of particular concern. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature, “At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year.” Even when consumers are choosing recycled plastic products and disposing of or recycling them at end-use, there is no guarantee where the plastic ends up.

The obvious solution is to avoid plastic as much as possible and support companies that will ensure the plastic in their products will be properly composted, such as Re-Brush.

Simple design, thoughtful development, and eco-friendly features make Re-Brush a revolutionary dental care product.