Your Toothbrush Will Outlive You (And That’s A Problem)
Most of us treat our toothbrush like a tiny, disposable tool. We use it to brush our teeth, rinse the bristles, put the toothbrush back in its holder, and repeat the process the next morning. Then, every few months, we throw the old toothbrush away and replace it with a new one. But here's the problem: The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. (That means your toothbrush is designed to only be useful for a few months!) One recent review estimates that approximately 3.5 billion toothbrushes are being sold each year globally, creating a surprisingly large stream of waste from a product most of us barely think about. But here's the strange part: How can a tool designed for 90 days of use outlive the person who bought it? In this post, I'll explain what happens to standard plastic toothbrushes after they're thrown away, why their long-lasting materials create an environmental pro...