Living a plastic-free life with natural bamboo toothbrushes

The first step to living a zero-waste lifestyle is to identify any everyday necessities that consume a lot of plastic.

Many of the things we use every day actually contribute to plastic waste.

One of them is the toothbrush.

Most of the ordinary toothbrushes sold at supermarkets and pharmacies are made from plastic. Why not try replacing your modern toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush made from natural materials to make your toothbrush a little more sustainable?

This time, we will be looking at why using bamboo toothbrushes is good for the environment.
We will introduce some tips on how to use a bamboo toothbrush, which is made from natural materials.

1. Toothbrush consumption

It is said that the average person will use about 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime.
The average toothbrush you normally use should be replaced once every three months, and even more often if you include the disposable plastic toothbrushes provided free of charge as amenities in hotels, airplanes, etc.

It is said that about 5 billion toothbrushes are consumed each year around the world, and an estimated 2 billion have ended up in the ocean.

2. How plastic toothbrushes harm the planet

Think about the toothbrushes sold at supermarkets and pharmacies: most of them are made from plastic.
Most plastic used in toothbrushes cannot be recycled, so in Japan they are disposed of as combustible waste.
Plastics that are disposed of as combustible waste must be incinerated and ultimately disposed of in landfills, polluting the soil and air. In some cases, this waste is transported to developing countries, which then end up shouldering a large waste burden from developed countries such as Japan and the United States, which have high per capita consumption.
Furthermore, toothbrushes that end up in the ocean do not decompose naturally and continue to wander around as garbage, eventually turning into tiny plastic powder called microplastics, which disrupt the marine ecosystem.

Each of us recognizing these circumstances and being conscious of living a life that does not produce plastic waste is the key to changing society as a whole.

First, let's start by replacing everyday necessities with natural and biodegradable materials.

Bamboo Toothbrush

mana.'s bamboo toothbrushes are 100% chemical-free and made entirely from bamboo, with the bristles made from BPA-free nylon.

The factories we work with only use bamboo that has been certified by the global Forest Stewardship ^Council® (FSC), which ensures that consumers can see products from well-managed forests that are in line with environmental, social and economic benefits, and that economic benefits are returned to producers.

After use, you can remove the brush part with pliers and compost the main body.

1. Wash the product thoroughly after opening it. Compost or recycle the packaging.

When you receive the product, remove the bamboo toothbrush from the box and wash it thoroughly before using it.

Please recycle used packaging as compost or recyclable waste in accordance with local household waste disposal procedures.

2. After use, thoroughly dry the device with a towel.

Mana.'s bamboo toothbrushes are made from natural bamboo and have not been treated with any chemicals such as preservatives, mold inhibitors, or insect repellents, so their weaknesses are humidity and water .
To ensure long-term use, it is particularly important to thoroughly wipe off any moisture with a towel after use to prevent mold growth.

3. How to hold your toothbrush

It is important to pay attention to how you store your bamboo toothbrush. If there is moisture at the bottom of the toothbrush stand, it may become moldy.
Therefore, we recommend the following storage method:

• Hanging type
• Diatomaceous Earth Toothbrush Holder
• A cup (a dry cup for use with bamboo toothbrushes)

3. Replacement guidelines and disposal method

The recommended usage period for bamboo toothbrushes is 3-4 months.
Please check the condition of the bamboo and brushes on the main body and replace them regularly with new ones.

After use, we recommend that you dispose of it in the following manner.
・Compost (main unit only)
・Put out as burnable garbage

The body of mana.'s bamboo toothbrush is made from 100% natural bamboo, so it can be naturally decomposed through composting. We recommend removing the brush part with pliers and disposing of it as burnable garbage.

1. If there is white powder on your bamboo toothbrush

The white powder that appears on bamboo is called bamboo shavings and is a common occurrence with high quality bamboo products if they are stored in a humid place for more than a few weeks.
If you find any, immediately wash the item with room temperature or hot water to remove it easily. After washing, thoroughly wipe off any excess water with a towel and dry it. Once removed, you can continue to use the item as normal without any problems. There is no effect on the human body.

2. If black mold has developed on your bamboo toothbrush

Remove with a file
・Wash with hot water