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Here in Toronto, we're lucky enough to have a pretty good curbside pickup program that takes a variety of recyclables (including many plastics) as well as food waste. What this means, effectively, is that just about everything that goes in my garbage can these days is some sort of non-recyclable plastic, usually packaging but sometimes other goods. One of the culprits: toothbrushes.
Assuming you follow your dentist's directions properly, you'll go through about four toothbrushes a year. That might not seem like much waste compared to how much garbage goes to the curb every week, but multiply it by 30 million Canadians and 120 million toothbrushes suddenly seems like a lot. Plus, think of all the plastic that's created just for those "disposable" toothbrushes.
To cut back, I just went to recycline.com and signed up for a year's worth of recycled – and recyclable – toothbrushes. They're made primarily from recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt containers and when you're done with them, the company will take them back (postage paid from the US) and recycle them again into plastic lumber. They also offer you the option of receiving one toothbrush every three months, a handy reminder that it's time to throw out the old brush. While I was there, I picked up a razor, also made from recycled plastics and recyclable by the company and by some curbside pickup programs (it's made from #5 plastic).
When it comes to the three Rs, it's better to reduce than reuse and better to reuse than recycle, but when it comes to items like toothbrushes and razors that can't be reduced or reused, recycling is definitely the best option.
Have any of you tried these toothbrushes, or any other eco-friendly options?
Today's code word: toothbrush
Read more:
• Make your bathroom eco-friendly
• 23 tips for earth-friendly living
• 44 things to do with vinegar
