The Tilsons

Justin and I have been using electric toothbrushes for the past 5 or so years.  Both of us felt that the throw away tip was much better than the throw away toothbrush (Fifty million pounds of toothbrushes are tossed into US landfills every year.) and seemed to clean better.  Still, something still didn’t feel quite right.  With a little bit of googling, I found that the Oral B toothbrush handle ($30) is made in Germany, and the replacement heads are made in China ($17.99 for three heads). So, I decided to do some more research on toothbrushes that wouldn’t tax the earth.

There are several “eco” toothbrushes on the market.

1. Recycline Preserve - PROS: Handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups, PBA Free, not tested on animals, toothbrush is entirely recyclable in the community (#5 plastic) or you can send it back to the manufacturer and they will reuse the materials (Postage paid lable included), all Recycline products are made in the USA, packaging is recyclable or you can send it back, read more about their earth efforts. CONS: Handle is not reusable, the send back program isn’t carbon neutral.  Four toothbrush subscription is $11.00 USD plus shipping.
2. Radius Source Toothbrush - PROS: Reusable handle (made of Recycled dollar bills from US Mint or Recycled Flax from Linen construction - 93% Recycled Material, 47% renewable resource), disposable toothbrush head, not tested on animals, recyclable packaging, made in Kutztown, USA - in Pennsylvania’s Hex county.  CONS: Not recyclable or reclaimable, head is disposable, work with firms such as Fisher Price and Dupont to make various toothbrush bits. Toothbrush Handle $6.95 USD and three heads $5.21 USD.
   
3. Radius Original Toothbrush - PROS: Handle (made of 100% renewable resource wood based plastic - 93% grown in a North Carolina sustainable forest), not tested on animals, recycleable packaging, made in Kutztown, USA - in Pennsylvania’s Hex county, Left or Right handed erganomically correct handles. CONS: Not recyclable or reclaimable, entire toothbrush gets thrown away (will decompose eventually), work with firms such as Fisher Price and Dupont to make various toothbrush bits. Three pack of toothbrushes $16.10 USD.
4. Naturborsten Wooden Toothbrush - PROS: Handle made from Sustainable Wood Resources, Company comprised of a small family enterprise, preserved with vegetable oil, minimal biodegradable packaging, Bristles made from natural fibres CONS: Made in Germany, very little information to be found. 1 toothbrush 4.25 British pounds.
5. Ekotek Toothbrush - PROS: Handle made from Cellulose CONS: Throw away head, can’t seem to find where they are manufactured. 1 toothbrush $8.99 USD, three pack heads $8.99 USD.
6. Other companies such as TerraDent, SmileBrite are on the right track but are still using plastic from petrolium, or aren’t recyclable.

The one I am going to buy? Recycline Preserve.  What works for me is that they are recyclable right here in my blue box and made from recycled materials. My wishes?  For them to come up with a replaceable head instead of recycling the whole toothbrush, and for them to be manufactured in Canada.