TheRoundup is reader supported. We may earn a small commission when you make a purchase via links on this site, at no cost to you.
All products are personally reviewed and tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
Are you worried about the plastic waste you create every time you change your toothbrush?
Americans throw away one billion plastic toothbrushes every year. Like all plastics, they don't biodegrade and can end up in landfills or polluting the environment.
That's why I've been testing eco-friendly toothbrush brands that use biodegradable materials with a low carbon footprint.
Want to say goodbye to wasteful plastic components and hello to advanced, sustainable brushing technology at affordable prices?
Switching to a more environmentally friendly option is easier than you think...
We Say: Bamboo is a great choice for a zero-waste, eco-friendly toothbrush, but it's the head and bristles where many brands let themselves down.
However, I felt it was important for my overall winner to be completely nylon-free. Step forward the Brush with Bamboo Dental Company.
I’m happy to report that they have made their smart new design from 100% castor bean oil and certified 100% biobased by the USDA.
I feel these BPA-free toothbrush bristles are as eco-friendly as can be. However, you do need to take a small amount of care when the toothbrush reaches the end of its life.
Although the bristles are 100% biobased, they’re not certified compostable and will not break down as quickly or as environmentally friendly as the handles.
To dispose of this toothbrush as sustainably as possible, you need to pull out the bristles. You then recycle them separately with Terracycle or an appropriate local recycling service.
This process applies to all ‘zero waste’ toothbrushes, but Brush with Bamboo is the overall winner because they don't use nylon bristles.
The handle is certified to be commercially compostable. You can even toss it in your home compost bin if you have one.
These toothbrushes come shipped in a folded recycled paper box containing no glue or tape. There is no unnecessary inner wrap either, making the packaging 100% sustainable and zero waste. Simply dispose of it in a recycling or green waste bin.
I feel this is currently the best bamboo toothbrush on the market. Switch today and help save the planet with your dental routine.
We Say: I love this brand because the entire toothbrush, head and all, can be composted. This is because they make the bristles from natural boar hair.
It didn’t quite make it as the overall winner. That's because, in my experience, the boar bristles did not last as long as the castor bean oil bristles used by Brush with Bamboo. They also need extra care and attention to keep them clean and hygienic.
The boar hair used is a fully sustainable byproduct of the Chinese meat industry, which is fine from a health and environmental perspective. However, it means this product is not vegan and, therefore, not suitable for many of our readers.
Yes, you'll essentially be brushing your teeth with pig hair. But if you can get over that, this is a really good toothbrush that's worth a look.
This BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, lead-free, fully compostable, eco-friendly toothbrush is shipped in a recyclable cardboard box.
I’ve recommended the ten-brush option because this makes your life easier (it will last you over two years). It also reduces the impact of shipping one brush every three months.
We Say: The Humble Co. is a dental care company founded by dentist Noel Abdayem in 2013. They offer a wide range of zero-waste oral care products, including the Humble toothbrush.
Their range of eco-friendly bamboo brushes comes in soft and medium. There are many bristle color options and even activated charcoal-infused bristles if that’s your thing.
Bamboo toothbrushes for kids are also available, as is a bamboo tongue cleaner.
The bristles are nylon, so these toothbrushes aren't 100% zero waste. They are not as good for the environment as the previous products. But they are certified vegan and cruelty-free.
The 100% biodegradable bamboo handles can be composted. The bristles will need to be removed and recycled with Terracycle or an appropriate local recycling service.
We Say: Eco Roots are another brand producing many zero waste products, including bamboo toothbrushes.
I like the fact that these toothbrushes come in a pack of four. This means you can place one order per year, and your toothbrush needs are covered.
The nylon bristles used are BPA-free and non-toxic, but you still need to remove them before adding the bamboo handle to your compost.
All Eco Roots products are certified cruelty-free and shipped in 100% recyclable materials. They’re also a member of 1% for the planet.
✔ Charcoal Infused Bristles
✔ Natural Bamboo Handle
✔ Recycled Packaging
We Say: These isshah vegan toothbrushes have soft, charcoal-infused bristles to help keep teeth whiter for longer.
The handle is fully compostable once the bristles have been removed and disposed of separately.
The range of products appears to be growing as there is now an eight-pack and a ten-pack, offering even better value for money. You can also keep one of your toothbrushes in a travel bag permanently and use the rest in your bathroom.
There are also children's toothbrushes, interdental brushes, natural dental floss, and cotton swabs.
Click here to view the entire product range.
If you’ve read my Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrush article, you’ll know that one billion toothbrushes are thrown away in the U.S. every year. This is madness and simply has to stop!
Adding an environmentally friendly toothbrush to our daily oral care routine is a small act that can have a big impact on the planet.
I feel I need to add a caveat here. Moving to a more sustainable lifestyle is the ultimate aim, but it’s not always possible to be 100% zero waste in everything we do.
Eco-friendly toothbrushes are one such example where a small amount of leniency is needed.
Those pesky nylon bristles just pop up time and time again.
I didn’t set out to only recommend bamboo toothbrushes. It just happened organically when I started testing/researching and learned even more about the beauty of bamboo.
Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable alternative to plastic. It’s fast-growing and needs little water.
Bamboo is also naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. All perfect qualities for something that goes into your mouth for two minutes, twice a day.
It’s no wonder that the leading sustainable toothbrush brands are all turning to bamboo.
Bamboo is, in my opinion, by far the best material for an eco-friendly toothbrush. If you decide that bamboo is not for you, then you might want to try 100% recycled (and recyclable) plastic.
Plastic handles are not environmentally friendly because they are petroleum-based and are not compostable or biodegradable.
The world already has a severe problem with plastic waste. The one billion plastic toothbrushes thrown away in the U.S. annually just add to the plastic waste caused by other products.
Choose a biodegradable option to make sure you don't make the problem any worse.
Most dentists recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush design as best for your oral health. But you should check with your dentist for specific advice.
According to WebMD, “For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush is the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel. For even more tooth protection when you brush, be sure the bristles on the toothbrush you select have rounded tips”.
According to Dr. Sienna Palmer, dentist at Meridien Dental, “The average person should be swapping out for a new toothbrush every three to four months”. The same applies to the replaceable heads on an electric toothbrush.
When I started researching this article, I expected to be comparing bamboo, recycled plastic, and other eco-friendly materials.
However, in the end, there was only one clear winner. It turns out that the best eco-friendly toothbrushes are all made from bamboo.
In all honesty, it wasn't even a fair fight. Bamboo is DEFINITELY the material you should look for when you're next in the market for a sustainable toothbrush.
Remember that when considering sustainability in your oral hygiene routine, your toothbrush is only half the battle. Switching to zero-waste toothpaste and natural mouthwash will help complete your sustainable dental routine.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
TheRoundup.org - As Seen On
