Written by Reep Green Solutions blog contributor, Susan Fulop, a dentist based in Kitchener, Ontario, who is advocating for decreasing the dental industry’s carbon and plastic footprint. Susan is a member of the Ontario Dental Association’s newly formed Environmental Sustainability Committee.
My eureka moment about the significant waste created by oral hygiene products came when I analyzed how little floss one gets in the sample container that dentists give out. The 4 yards provided are enough for only 8 flossings, leaving one with a plastic dispenser. Toothbrushes, floss containers, toothpaste tubes, and similar items are all short-term use products that ultimately end up as waste. Dentists recommend changing one’s toothbrush every 3 months. With over 14 million Ontarians, even if we change toothbrushes only once every 4 months, that results in 42 million toothbrushes becoming plastic waste annually in Ontario. Manufacturers need to rethink the materials used to make oral hygiene products more environmentally sustainable.
Bristle Battle: Finding Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Creating an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional toothbrush bristles has been challenging. Traditional nylon bristles provide the necessary rigidity and softness for effective cleaning but are typically made from fuel-based products. Alternative materials from renewable resources, such as castor bean or cornstarch-based bioplastics, are now being used. However, these bioplastic bristles can still break down into microplastics if not composted in industrial composting facilities that provide the necessary heat and oxygen conditions.
Tube Trouble: Rethinking Toothpaste Packaging
Toothpaste packaging has traditionally been made from various types of plastic, making it difficult to recycle in standard blue box programs. Manufacturers are now offering more sustainable alternatives. For instance, a major company has introduced a toothpaste tube made from only type 2 plastic. Unfortunately, not all Canadian municipalities accept soft type 2 plastics in their blue box programs. Toothpaste is also made in pellet form, packaged in rigid plastic or paper containers, and comes in powder form in paper pouches.
Flossing Faux Pas: Tackling Plastic Waste
Flossing also contributes to plastic waste. The floss itself is made of fuel-based nylon and is packaged in containers made from hard-to-recycle or non-recyclable plastics. Fortunately, there are now better options available. Silk floss breaks down into organic matter, and cornstarch floss is made from renewable resources. Greener packaging options include recyclable cardboard containers or refillable glass or metal jars.
Brush Up on Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Innovations
There are new products being introduced that are more environmentally friendly. For example, some toothbrush handles are now made from compostable bamboo. Bamboo grows quickly, absorbs carbon dioxide, and will break down into organic matter. However, bamboo is currently grown in Asia, which increases its carbon footprint. A few years ago, a Quebec company started offering toothbrush handles made from maple wood, which is a great choice for Canadians. Other eco-friendly options for toothbrush handles include those made with less plastic or 100% recycled plastic. Using a manual toothbrush with replaceable heads can extend the lifespan of a handle from 3 months to many years.
Talk to Your Dentist: A Green Dental Conversation
The next time you visit the dentist, examine the samples they provide. Consider declining the plastic bag and the one-week supply of floss in non-recyclable containers. This is a great opportunity to start a conversation with your dentist about more environmentally sustainable dentistry practices.