In the United Kingdom, an oral care startup is set to launch a biobased, “infinite” toothbrush that consumers can send back to the company for recycling.
Dubbed Reswirl, the toothbrushes are made entirely from renewable plastic. Under the company’s subscription sales model, the used brush is returned after use in a prepaid box that arrives—with a new brush—every three months. The bristles are recycled while the handles are ground down and molded into new brushes. However, if consumers trash the toothbrush after use, it will biodegrade.
“If you’re looking to make better choices when it comes to sustainability in the home, then this is the perfect time to start,” Simon Porter, head of operations at Reswirl, tells The Comet.
More than 3 billion toothbrushes are sold annually, and the vast majority are made from petroleum-based plastic.
“Single-use plastics have become a global epidemic, with 8 million tonnes of plastic thrown away in landfill each year. It’s time for brands to start taking responsibility and do something to drive change,” Porter adds. “At Reswirl we wanted to develop a product that makes a difference to the world in which we live. It’s our driving force to educate people to make small changes that will have a massive impact, not only on our lives, but for future generations and the planet.”