Can a Toothbrush Save the Planet?

Can a toothbrush save the planet? Well, not exactly, but the team behind WooBamboo, the maker of eco-friendly toothbrushes, floss and soon-to-be host of related products, believe it’s is a darn good place to start.

The Cape Coral-based company sprung from a stray comment uttered by an 80-something-year-old Australian woman to her son, Steve Hyde, while joking about her other son’s never-ending quest to build a bamboo bicycle.

“(Steve’s) mom goes, ‘You should do something with bamboo, like a toothbrush or something,’” recalls Hyde’s friend and business partner, Christopher Fous. Something about that clicked. Hyde took to Google, checking to see if such a product existed, found almost nothing and then called Fous, who responded, “That’s dumb.”

But then Fous, whose background is in media and design, started looking around. “I’m at Publix and I see this sea of toothbrushes … and then I realize, none of these would be our competition because all I see is plastic. Everything is plastic—future garbage. Every toothbrush that you’ve ever used and I’ve ever used in our entire lives is still sitting somewhere. It hit me—that eureka moment.”

Fous and Hyde roped in a third friend, Tom Burt, and the trio launched WooBamboo on Earth Day 2013, handing out 10,000 toothbrushes on the streets of New York. “People were freaking out. You would think we were handing out iPads. It was weird. We looked at each other and thought maybe we’re on to more than we thought,” Fous says.

As of last summer, WooBamboo had produced its millionth toothbrush, tallied 8,000 retail stores worldwide (including biggies like Target and CVS), developed a biodegradable silk floss and was close to launching a line of all-natural toothpastes with funky flavors: sweet cinnamon, vanilla mint, toasted marshmallow. Not bad for a trio of guys who had no knowledge of oral hygiene, no experience in international trade, no training in distribution channels.

“I think the fact we didn’t have any experience actually worked to our advantage because we didn’t know any better,” Burt says.

“If you don’t know the limitations,” Fous adds, “sometimes there aren’t limitations.”

The founding trio is meticulous in its sourcing and deliberate in the company’s growth.

“Before we even did business with (a Chinese manufacturer), we sent a friend of mine over that speaks fluent Mandarin but didn’t tell them he speaks fluent Mandarin, just to make sure they are on the up-and-up. We want to rise up, but not by stepping on anybody else,” Fous says. Hyde has twice paid follow-up visits.

Ostensibly, WooBamboo is a toothbrush company, but its core mission runs much deeper. The founders want the twice-daily habit of brushing teeth to remind WooBamboo users that small individual changes can amount to a big collective impact. They also hope switching to a biodegradable toothbrush triggers changes in other habits: food choices, energy use, purchasing decisions.

“I know we’re not a toothbrush company because toothbrushes are not what I’m obsessed about,” Fous says. “Floss doesn’t keep me up at night. But I’m obsessed with this idea of inspiring the world. Everything we do is geared toward that.

“Everyone can make a difference with the products they buy. Endorsing a product is like casting a vote. Every dollar you spend is a vote cast.”

Oh, Bamboo. You’re Awesome

Bamboo, in case ya didn’t know, is a super-fast growing plant (grass) with immense economic uses. Over the years, the bamboo plant has been put to good use in constructions, clothing production, furniture making, decorations, and culinary, among others.

The eco-friendly, biodegradable, and high renewable rate (it takes about five years to re-grow when cut down) of the bamboo has seen it play an important role in global action towards limiting the impact of household products on the 21st-century environment. These concerns have led to exploitation and use of the bamboo in oral care, construction, clothing, furniture, and other applications.



 

Of particular importance is the use of bamboo in oral care. More specifically, the production of toothbrushes with bamboo, which we do at WooBamboo. Tonnes of disused plastic toothbrushes fill up oceans and landfill sites worldwide. They are neither biodegradable nor are they eco-friendly. They, therefore, create a problem for the environment. There are over 7 billion people in the world. If half that population (conservative estimate) use toothbrushes with plastic handles, which they do, it gives you a picture of how much impact non-degradable products have on our environment.

Revolutionary products like the bamboo toothbrush have brought to the fore a unique use of the bamboo, never before explored. Aside from environmental considerations, the use of bamboo in oral care speaks of man’s ingenuity. The bamboo toothbrush is unique and handy, with a sleek feel.

The bamboo is also widely used in construction due to its ability to resist compression and tension, which it does better than wood and concrete. There have been houses made entirely of bamboo. The high renewable rate of the bamboo ensures there is a constant supply as demanded. In rural Asian and African societies, the bamboo is used in constructing bridges. It is also employed for scaffolding when constructing high-rise buildings. If you need to reinforce concrete, consider the bamboo a quality option.

Bamboos provide a good material for flooring. When properly treated, it lasts as long as wood does. If you want something unique and beyond the traditional, you need to give serious thought to bamboo floors. Bamboos are used in flooring due to its durability and strength coupled with its ability to resist insect attacks and moisture. The bamboo goes through a few processes such as being sliced into thin strips, boiled, dried, and glued before it gets ready to be used for flooring. To the eco-friendly person, bamboo floors are a beauty to behold.

Are bamboos used for clothing? That sounds strange. However, as a testament to human ingenuity, the bamboo is a raw material for the textile industry. Rayons (regenerated cellulose fibres) are made from bamboo fibres, which are short. However, this process involves different stages of chemical additions.

With global concerns over rapid deforestation in world’s forests, the bamboo provides an alternative to hardwood in furniture construction and decorations. Its rapid regenerative and renewable rates make it a viable option. Unlike hardwood that is a tree, the bamboo is a grass that grows pretty fast. Bamboo furnitures are durable, and resistant to swelling and shrinking. Do you have an eye for aesthetics? Consider bamboo furniture and decorations. It’s a mix of art and construction.

As research progresses, it is certain that more applications will be found for the bamboo. At present, its applications are beautiful. The bamboo toothbrush is eco-friendly, biodegradable and sleek; and WooBamboo, is eco-conscious and eco-compliant.

How to choose an eco-friendly toothbrush.

One product we use on a daily basis which is nearly always manufactured from plastic is our toothbrush. typical plastic toothbrushes weigh around 18 grams. On average, we every use some 300 toothbrushes throughout our lifetime. This means, that every folks throws away five kilos of plastic into the rubbish, that then winds up contaminating the environment.

In Europe, around two billion toothbrushes are sold annually, these be converted into some thirty six,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste. Therefore, choosing an eco-friendly toothbrush made without plastic could be a approach of doing the environment a favour.

But it's tough to not wander away amongst the new and intensive type of eco-friendly toothbrushes on supply. varied sorts of questionable eco-friendly toothbrushes exist, except for us two main really eco-friendly choices stand out:

The wood toothbrush, 100% natural, plastic-free and biodegradable

The only toothbrushes 100% plastic-free and therefore truly biodegradable, as they're created completely of natural materials, are the toothbrushes made from beech wood with natural bristles from boar hair. they're created in germany and deliver an effective clean whilst taking care of your teeth. These are the most effective eco-friendly and plastic-free choice, but they're not suitable for vegans. Therefore, we would also prefer to discuss bamboo toothbrushes.

Bamboo and nylon toothbrushes

By far the majority of eco-friendly toothbrushes (or a minimum of labeled as such) comprises a bamboo handle and nylon bristles. These toothbrushes sometimes flaunt adjectives like 100% perishable or organic. However, it's necessary to denote that the nylon used for the bristles of those toothbrushes isn't extremely perishable, or a minimum of not as we tend to realize it once speaking of natural materials. Nylon is plastic and that we realize it somewhat deceptive to speak regarding organic nylon because it offers the impression that it's freed from artificial chemical substances.

So, before selecting the vary of vegetarian toothbrushes to supply available on our web site, we've done plenty of analysis. we've chosen to stock toothbrushes from My Boo Company as a result of they provide many blessings over alternative bamboo toothbrushes.

1. Their bristles square measure made of nylon-6 free from Bisphenol A (BPA), a compound that's harmful to our health that's gift in plastic toothbrushes.

2. The nylon-6 employed in these brushes doesn't contain fossil fuel derivatives because it is created from aperient.

3. For the exercise (of the nylon) and therefore the composting (of the bamboo), one will take away the bristles with tweezers or pliers.

4. Bamboo is biodegradable, compostable and has distinctive properties. for instance, it doesn’t need fertilizers, pesticides, or watering so as to grow. additionally, the My Boo Company toothbrush is created from Moso bamboo, additionally referred to as winter bamboo. This type of bamboo isn't consumed by Panda bears.

5. Originally from China, the bamboo utilized by this complete comes from associate degree FSC (Forestry office Council) certified crop. this implies it's cultivated environmentally responsibly with respect for the forests, animals and other people within the region.

6. And eventually, the complete logo is written with a laser to avoid the use of chemical dyes.

For these reasons, we tend to believe that following the wood toothbrush, the My Boo Company bamboo toothbrush is that the best eco-friendly toothbrush on supply within the current market.

We hope we've helped you in your hunt for associate degree eco-friendly toothbrush. it's potential to seek out an eco-friendly various to plastic toothbrushes and it's a awfully great way to cut back each your use of plastic and your waste.

Old Toothbrush, New Ideas – WooBamboo!

OK, I’ve spent three months brushing my teeth with a WooBamboo toothbrush,

Now What?!

Well, first, you replace your toothbrush with a NEW WooBamboo toothbrush!

Now it’s time to do some cool stuff with your used bamboo toothbrush starting with the bristles. Your bristles are made of recyclable material – Recycle Them!!

Step 1: Go find your tweezers or (better yet) a pair of pliers. We’ll wait til you come back…..
Ok, good, you’re back.

Step 2: So you don’t lose the bristles, get something plastic that you are going to recycle already and put the bristles in there! It’ll keep them confined.

Step 3: Pull the bristles from your toothbrush by grabbing just a few at a time with your tweezers or more with pliers. Once the process starts, it gets easier!

Welcome to Your Multi-Use Bamboo Handle!

Green Thumb?

Our favorite thing to suggest to plant enthusiasts is to use the handle as a growth guide for new plants! Set it vertically in the soil next to a plant and watch the plant grow tall as the bamboo staff helps keep the plant from drooping over! Since the bamboo is all-natural, it won’t cause harm to the roots!

Crafty?

• Drill a hole in one end, add keys and never lose a set of keys again!
• Drill a few holes across and hang some cool things for a small wind chime
• Make a toilet paper, yarn, thread spool or tape dispenser by fastening the handle to a bamboo (preferred) or wooden disk acting as the base
• Candle making enthusiast? Use the handle to tie the wick on while your candle dries
• 4 handles will make an attractive picture frame

Got kids, or are you a “kid at heart”?:

• Hey! Building a Science Experiment and you need something 7-1/4” long, sturdy, safe and reliable?
• Speaking of science experiments…. Bury your handle in the garden or yard and check on it every month. Watch the biodegrading process!!
• Orchestrate a small symphony with your new baton
• Attach a bell, rattle or frills to the end for a toy you can shake
• Use it as part of a Lincoln Logs set
• Set it in a cup of kool aid, freeze it and out comes a popsicle on bamboo
• Glasses or a mustache on a bamboo handle makes for a fun mask
• Does your daughter have dozens of play rings? Keep them all organized by putting them on the bamboo handle
• Art project! Markers and imagination can decorate a beautiful handle

Pets! Don’t forget our furry friends!

Pets love bamboo! Bamboo is incredibly strong and non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses! WooBamboo toothbrush handles have been cut, shaped and sanded, so NO splinters! Instant toy for those bonding moments!

• Throw the bamboo handle for a fun game of “go get it boy!”
• Dogs will chew on the bamboo as a safe alternative to plastic chew sticks
• Hey, cats will chase and chew on anything you throw down the hall!
• Drill a hole, feed some string and hang the handle for something to swat