Given the various materials and components, especially the battery, electric toothbrushes may seem less environmentally friendly compared to their manual counterparts. In fact, the climate impact of an electric toothbrush is approximately 11 times greater than that of a sustainable bamboo toothbrush.

However, if your dentist recommends an electric toothbrush for your dental health or you can’t imagine giving up the efficiency of powered brushing, there are eco-friendly electric toothbrush options available. These electric toothbrushes prioritize effective teeth cleaning without compromising the well-being of the planet.

So, whether you’ve already embraced zero waste toothpaste and floss or you’re looking to make your dental routine more sustainable, here are some eco-friendly electric toothbrush brands to consider.

1. Sustainable Tomorrow

Sustainable Tomorrow offers a range of eco-friendly home accessories and personal care products, including an electric toothbrush with impressive features. Their toothbrush features five cleaning modes, three intensity levels with up to 40,000 VPMs, and a 2-minute timer. The brush comes with a year’s supply of compostable and biodegradable replaceable heads made from bamboo with castor bean oil bristles.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• FSC-certified bamboo brush heads decompose in around 6 months in a home compost heap.
• Rechargeable batteries last up to a month between charges.
• Sustainable Tomorrow also provides bamboo eco-friendly electric toothbrush heads compatible with Philips Sonicare models.

2. Etee

Etee is a one-stop shop for zero-waste cleaning, personal care, and home essentials. Their eco-electric toothbrush comes with three replacement heads, a matching USB charger, and various cleaning settings. The brush also includes a one-year warranty.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• The plastic and metal main body, along with the charging dock, are 100% recyclable.
• Bamboo electric toothbrush heads are 98% compostable, with castor-bean oil bristles.
• The factory is powered by renewable energy, and the company ships plastic-free, supporting various charitable organizations.

3. Georganics

Georganics, a UK zero-waste dental care brand and Certified B Corp, offers an electric toothbrush using sonic technology and high-frequency vibrations. With different cleaning modes, three speed adjustments, and a built-in timer, this toothbrush ensures comprehensive dental care.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• The toothbrush is made from plastic with nylon bristles and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
• Georganics operates a ‘Zero-To-Landfill’ scheme, allowing customers to send back both brush heads and bodies for recycling.
• The company uses zero-waste packaging in the form of compostable cardboard printed with vegetable inks.

4. FOREO

FOREO introduces the world’s first sustainable sonic toothbrush made of durable silicone. The ISSA™ 3 offers 16 adjustable intensities, a smart memory feature, and a low battery indicator LED light. The brush head, made from a combination of medical-grade silicone and PBT polymer bristles, only needs replacement once per year.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• The silicone brush head and main body are durable and long-lasting.
• The battery life allows the ISSA™ to be charged only twice per year.
• FOREO’s factories run on solar power, and no products are tested on animals.

5. SURI

SURI (Sustainable Rituals) presents an eco-friendly electric toothbrush designed for a powerful deep clean. With up to 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, two speed modes, and a two-minute timer, this toothbrush ensures effective cleaning. The plant-based brush heads are made from corn starch with castor oil plant-based bristles.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• Plant-based brush heads are recyclable, with a prepaid return mailer for recycling.
• The durable aluminum body is easily recyclable and designed for easy repair.
• SURI is carbon-neutral through a partnership with ClimatePartner, with B Corp certification pending.

6. Fayet

Fayet’s Bamboo Smart Sonic is a lightweight electric toothbrush with five cleaning modes and a long battery life. The replaceable heads are made from 100% bamboo bases with PBT, charcoal, or nylon bristles. The toothbrush set comes in a biodegradable cardboard box.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• Bamboo brush heads can be composted after removing the bristles.
• The plastic body is water-resistant and recyclable, and the battery lasts 40 days on a single charge.

7. PearlBar

PearlBar’s sonic-powered eco toothbrush features five brushing modes and three cleaning speeds. Each unit comes with three replaceable heads made from bamboo for different functions: whitening, sensitivity, and plaque removal. The bamboo-look main body and charging dock are made from recyclable plastics and metals.

Ethical & Sustainability Practices

• Bamboo replacement toothbrush heads are 100% biodegradable after removing nylon bristles and cornstarch plastic insert.
• PearlBar donates 10% of profits to charities such as the Salvation Army and Love Without Boundaries, and they also donate toothbrushes to people in need.

Why Choose An Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrush

If everyone in the US replaced their toothbrush every 3-4 months, over one billion toothbrushes would be thrown away annually, contributing significantly to plastic waste. While electric toothbrushes may seem like a sustainable alternative, the reality is more complex. The main body and replacement heads often contain non-biodegradable materials, and recycling them can be challenging.

So, why consider an eco-friendly electric toothbrush?

Compostable/Recyclable Materials: Sustainable electric toothbrush heads made from compostable materials, such as bamboo, help reduce plastic waste. Some brands also use recycled plastic for the main body.

Minimal Charging: Long-lasting and rechargeable battery life minimizes energy consumption. The most energy-efficient brushes only need charging twice a year.

Longevity/Durability: The most eco-friendly electric toothbrushes should have a long lifespan, indicated by warranties and brand commitment to product durability.

Recycling Programs: Brands offering recycling programs facilitate proper disposal of old units.

The Future Of Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrushes

While current options are a step in the right direction, creating a truly sustainable electric toothbrush requires further innovation and transparency. Considerations for a more eco-friendly electric toothbrush include:

Materials

• Innovations in sustainable materials, moving away from plastic to bio-based and biodegradable options for consumable parts like toothbrush heads.
• Durable and long-lasting main body materials, ideally compostable, biodegradable, or 100% recyclable.

Supply Chain & Labor Practices

• More information about material sourcing, factory-specific details, and codes of conduct in the manufacturing process.

Green Business Practices

• Repair services and recycling programs to minimize e-waste.
• Offsetting carbon emissions and using renewable energy in production processes.

Community & Charitable Giving

• Continued support for charitable organizations and community initiatives.

How To Properly Recycle Electric Toothbrushes

If you’ve opted for a recyclable electric toothbrush, here’s how to dispose of it responsibly:

• Check if the company offers a recycling service.
• Explore local recycling options, including drop-off points or electronic recycling centers.
• Utilize programs like TerraCycle’s free, company-sponsored postage for sending in bases and handles.
• Consider repair options before recycling, and explore local repair services or DIY repair.

In conclusion, while there is progress in creating eco-friendly electric toothbrushes, the industry still faces challenges. Ongoing innovation, transparency, and commitment to sustainability are crucial for achieving a nearly perfect, truly environmentally friendly electric toothbrush.