This article has been provided for use by the Australian Dental Association and the original article can be found here.
Shepherds Hill Dental Center, under the driven guidance of Dr Jasper Lee, continue to make conscious and dedicated strides toward a carbon-neutral and sustainable practice.
If you are brushing your teeth two times per day as recommended by dentists, then the products you use could have an effect on the environment. If you want to make a positive environmental impact with your daily oral health care habits then keep reading!
More than just a plastic toothbrush
A standard plastic toothbrush is made from a combination of non-biodegradable plastic (made from crude oil) and rubber for the handpiece, nylon for the bristles, and a mix of plastic and cardboard for the packaging. A regular toothbrush generates 1.5 kilograms of “hidden waste” when you include what goes into the process of making the toothbrush. Take into account that in Australia, over 30 million toothbrushes are used and thrown away each year. This means we create 1000 tonnes of waste each year just from toothbrushes. These toothbrushes can take from 100 to 1000 years to break down. If your toothbrush does not end up in at the rubbish dump, it could end up in the ocean, and may even be eaten by animals in the ocean. But there are ways to improve the way you throw away your toothbrushes.
Terracycle oral care recycling program
The majority of toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers cannot be placed into the home recycling bin that is emptied by the local council. But, these items can be recycled through the TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Program.
TerraCycle offers free recycling programs that are funded by brands, manufacturers, or retailers to helpin collecting and recycling items are otherwise hard to recycle. In Australia, the Oral Care Recycling Program is supported by Colgate-Palmolive. Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, floss containers and their packaging can be recycled through this program.
TerraCycle “drop-off” points are located at registered health clinics and businesses. Use TerraCycle’s map for public drop-off locations to find a location close to you to recycle your oral hygiene products.
How to recycle toothbrushes at home
Toothbrushes made from biodegradable bamboo are available in supermarkets and pharmacies. The handle of these bamboo toothbrushes can be throw into a green waste bin or included as part of compost. Before throwing away the handle, the bristles from the head of the toothbrush must be removed. The company that makes the toothbrush may provide instructions on how to get rid of the bristles and handle separately. If the bristles cannot be removed from the head, break the toothbrush head off from the handle and throw the two parts away separately.
How to recycle toothpaste tubes at home
Some toothpaste tubes are now able to recycled at home.
In 2021, Colgate-Palmolive released a range of toothpastes with recyclable tubes. These are the first of their kind. These are now available in Australian supermarkets and pharmacies. These toothbrush tubes can be thrown away as part of general recycling waste.
Not all toothpaste tubes are made from this new technology so make sure to check your toothpaste tube for a recycling symbol before throwing your finished tube of toothpaste in the rubbish bin.
Save water when brushing your teeth
Leaving the tap on whilst brushing your teeth lets a lot of water go to waste. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that turning the tap off while brushing for two minutes can save approximately 16 litres of water!
Save water by turning the tap off whilst you are brushing your teeth.
After wetting your toothbrush, turn the tap off to save water for the two minutes that you brush your teeth.
Dental clinics
Many Australian dental clinics are implementing actions and policies to create more environmentally friendly workplaces that aim to reduce waste and pollution. You will commonly find that dental practices are no longer using paper files, or they may use only minimal paper. If you would like to know more about the sustainable practices of your local dental clinic, the staff may be able to tell you at your next appointment.
Protect your teeth
One of the best ways to limit the number of dental resources used at the dental practice is to keep good oral health at home. Good oral health can help to decrease the chance that dental treatment other than general preventive care will be needed. Do your part every day by brushing twice, cleaning between your teeth at least once daily, and eating a diet low in added sugar. Have a dental check-up at least once per year so that any conditions such as tooth decay can be detected and treated early.
