Zero Waste(ish) - Toothbrushes, pt. 2 - The Graveyard

This is my toothbrush graveyard. Which is actually a drawer in my laundry room cabinet. It's a wonderful cabinet.

So this is where toothbrushes go when they've come to the end of their useful dental hygiene days.  We use them to scrub in little tiny cracks and crevices; gout, around sink drains, chicken poo out of your pretty new work shoes because you forget to change shoes, you get the idea. And my wedding ring. But of course that's a separate/special brush that's only for my ring (when I remember which one it is - grody). ← You'd think I'd have figured this out a long time ago, but I haven't.


I just found out that the plastic ones, once they have no more practical household life left in them can be sent to a couple of different companies! I was feeling anxious about sending them to the landfill.
The one I've chosen is Terracycle - you can find out more about recycling your plastic toothbrushes here.

From their website:
"Did you know that a new toothbrush is 95% more effective versus a 3 month old toothbrush?*

Colgate has partnered with TerraCycle to turn recycled toothbrushes and oral care packaging into school supplies for the Kids In Need Foundation. This October, Colgate will donate upcycled backpacks, pens, and notebooks to schools most in need. Sign up now to recycle your old toothbrush and help contribute to this great cause!
*A worn toothbrush is less effective in removing plaque between teeth: A Clinical Investigation into the Effect of Toothbrush Wear on Efficacy, The Journal of Clinical Dentistry.

That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! 

There are a lot of options for the bamboo ones once they've scrubbed their last scrub.  The handles are infinitely reusable (plant markers anyone?) and, how cool is this, they're compostable! You'll have to remove the bristles before composting though.

Seriously, go out and get yourselves a bamboo toothbrush, you won't regret it!

P.S. One billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year in the United States, creating 50 million pounds of waste annually!
P.P.S. Family, please be expecting these as Christmas gifts. Just sayin'.