The Humble Co Toothbrush

After the success of trying out some eco-friendly floss, I decided to explore the market of bamboo toothbrushes. Did you know that 1 Billion toothbrushes will be thrown away this year in the US alone? Toothbrushes, being composed of plastic primarily, are not recyclable, and the average person will dispose of 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. This equates to an enormous ecological impact, but there alternatives. Bamboo is a great choice because it highly sustainable with its rapid growth, and it is naturally anti-bacterial.

I came across The Humble Co toothbrush while out shopping at Target. I liked the idea of being easily obtainable for my patients because sometimes being sustainable can be inconvenient and difficult. It retailed for $4.99 which is slightly higher than the average toothbrush and claims to have a fully recyclable package, as well as, being designed by a dentist.

Upon opening the toothbrush, I noticed that it was in an inner sealed paper wrapper that was coated in a plastic material. This plastic that was similar in texture to Saran Wrap reduces its recyclability and compostability. The box, however, could be recycled or composted.

The handle is made from bamboo, but is very thin and narrow which would make brushing for a person with dexterity issues very difficult. The bristles are unfortunately nylon, but the amount of plastic from the toothbrush and packaging is considerably reduced from a traditional brush. Once finished with the toothbrush, you can remove the bristles and compost the handle or even repurpose it as a stake for your garden!

Using the brush itself definitely took some getting used to. The bamboo drags along your cheek mucosa and sticks to it, making it quite uncomfortable initially. I did really think it’s brush head with compact size and contra-angle design was very effective at plaque removal.

Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 because of the texture on the mucosa. I gave it a slightly higher rating because The Humble Co gives back a portion of its profits to benefit children in need.

Stay tuned as I continue on my journey for the perfect eco-friendly toothbrush. If there’s one you are using an enjoy, then please let us know!

View on Target’s Store