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Bamboo toothbrushes

Can they be recycled?

Bamboo toothbrushes are a great alternative to plastic ones as they can be recycled or composted after use!

How to recycle

Whilst the handle can be recycled, the bristles can’t be, and so need to be removed. This can be done in two ways:

  • Pull them out using some pliers (run the bristles under hot/boiling water to make them come out more easily)
  • Snap off the toothbrush head completely.

Once the bristles are removed, the handle can be home composted if you have a garden, or thrown into your garden waste recycling bin.

Some ideas for reusing your toothbrush

Instead of throwing your toothbrush away, you could re-use it! Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Keep it for cleaning tricky spots such as tight corners, tiles, basins, etc;
  • Use it to mark plants in your garden, or fruit and veg in an allotment. Simply label the handle and stick it in the soil close-by;
  • Use it as a brush for arts and crafts.

Did you know?

Nearly 192 million toothbrushes are bought every year in the UK alone. That's almost 4000 tonnes of plastic (from toothbrushes) that could end up in landfill or incinerated.