What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes?

Are You Ready Your Money Where Your Mouth Is? When It Comes To Eco-Friendly Living, There Are A Few Things You Can Do, Like Buy An Eco-Friendly Toothbrush. I Share A Few Of The Benefits As Well As The Available Options. Read On To Find Out More…

Top 15 Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes

Are You Ready Your Money Where Your Mouth Is? When It Comes To Eco-Friendly Living, There Are A Few Things You Can Do, Like Buy An Eco-Friendly Toothbrush. I Share A Few Of The Benefits As Well As The Available Options. Read On To Find Out More…
This article contains tops tips from our experts, backed by in-depth research.
Last Updated: 18 Apr 2025
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Eco Friendly Toothbrushes

A toothbrush is just a toothbrush, right?

Wrong!

In a time when sustainability is the new buzzword, eco-friendly toothbrushes are here to shake things up.

As experts in our field, we discuss the following in this article:

    Sounds like information overload?

    It’s okay, the ByPurify team has simplified things to help you navigate through this eco-friendly way of living…

    What Makes a Toothbrush Eco-Friendly?

    Eco-friendly toothbrushes are made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or recycled plastic. 

    They are also packaged in recyclable or compostable materials. 

    This means that when you're done with it, you can throw it in the compost heap, and it’ll decompose.

    The benefit of eco-friendly toothbrushes is that they work just as well as regular toothbrushes, but don't have the same negative impact on the environment.

    Why Are Toothbrushes Bad For The Environment?

    Toothbrushes are bad for the environment because every part of a “normal” modern toothbrush is made from petroleum. 

    The production and use of toothbrushes made from non-recyclable and non-living materials can’t continue sustainably.

    Now, in the last 10 years, we’ve seen the growing popularity of other plastic toothbrushes made from bioplastic and bamboo1.

    Here are 3 reasons why eco-friendly toothbrushes are the future:

    Plastic Toothbrushes End Up In Oceans, Waterways, & Landfills

    The bristles of the toothbrush are made of nylon, which is oil. 

    The handle is made of polycarbonate, which is oil. 

    Clear plastic packaging is made from PET, which is an oil. 

    On the other hand

    Bamboo or wooden toothbrushes are often made using plant-based products.

    Sustainable Alternatives To Using Plastic Toothbrushes Are Already Available

    Before the invention of the plastic toothbrush in the 1930s, toothbrushes were made from plants and animals around the world. 

    Other materials, such as bamboo and wood, are used to make toothbrushes. 

    In particular, bamboo is a very promising material because, unlike wood, it’s sustainable and renewable.

    An Alternative To Plastic Toothbrushes

    Toothbrushes usually have nylon bristles, which are made entirely from fossil fuels. 

    Brands are now looking at using plant-based oils and fibers for this.

    Why You Should Choose an Eco-Friendly Toothbrush

    You should choose an eco-friendly toothbrush for the mere fact that, on average, I each use about 300 toothbrushes in my lifetime2.

    This means that each of us throws 5 kg of plastic into the garbage, which ends up damaging the environment. 

    In Europe, about 2 billion brushes are sold every year, and they become about 36,000 tons of non-recyclable waste. 

    That’s why

    Choosing an eco-friendly, plastic-free toothbrush is a way to help the environment. 

    But it's hard not to get lost among the variety of new toothbrushes on offer. 

    2 Types of Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes

    There 2 types of eco-friendly toothbrushes are wood and bamboo.

    Let’s take a look:

    Wood

    The only toothbrush that is 100% plastic-free and therefore truly biodegradable, as it’s made only from natural materials, is a brush made of beech wood with natural bristles. 

    These are the best choice for the environment and are plastic-free, but they aren’t suitable for vegans. 

    Bamboo 

    Most eco-friendly toothbrushes (or at least those labeled as such) are made with bamboo handles and nylon bristles. 

    These toothbrushes often feature adjectives such as 100% biodegradable or organic. 

    It’s important to note…

    The nylon bristles used in these toothbrushes aren’t renewable or biodegradable.

    Nylon is a plastic, and I find it misleading to refer to organic nylon as it gives the impression that it’s free of synthetic chemicals.

    Top 5 Bamboo Toothbrushes

    The top 5 bamboo toothbrushes are my favorites for so many reasons.

    Apart from their durable nature, bamboo toothbrushes also come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and bristle types. 

    If you're looking to replace your plastic toothbrush with bamboo, we've put together a list of the best bamboo toothbrushes to help you decide which option is right for you. 

    Take a look at my top picks:

    Greenzla Bamboo

    Each toothbrush has soft bristles and a soft bamboo handle. 

    Greenzla makes soft bristles from biodegradable bamboo fiber. 

    Plus, the bristles are BPA-free, so you can brush your teeth without adding toxins to your body.

    Virgin Forest

    These bamboo toothbrushes feature nylon bristles and come in different colors.

    Wowe Lifestyle Natural Organic Bamboo 

    Colorburst from Wowe Lifestyle helps you reduce your environmental impact while having fun. 

    The toothbrush comes in a pack of 4, and each brush is a different color. 

    They are made of soft, BPA-free nylon bristles, while the handle of the bamboo brush is made of strong bamboo. 

    Dranixly Kids Bamboo 

    Looking for a soft bamboo toothbrush in kid size? This brand provides that. 

    The soft bristles make it comfortable for kids to brush their teeth, and the bamboo handle makes it easy for them to hold the toothbrush. 

    Dranixly makes BPA-free bristles using a blend of bamboo charcoal. These charcoal bristles provide antibacterial properties to prevent the growth of bacteria. 

    GoWoo Natural Bamboo 

    The soft nylon bristles on these toothbrushes are BPA-free and give your teeth and gums the care they need.

    The bristles are bio-based and consist of 62% castor oil and 38% nylon. 

    Top 5 Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrushes

    The top 5 eco-friendly electric toothbrushes are a topic for debate.

    After all, how can an electric toothbrush be eco-friendly? 

    If you think about it, dental brushes are typically replaced every 3 months.

    A good electric toothbrush lasts longer than regular toothbrushes and works better. 

    Let’s take a look at my top picks:

    Fayet Bamboo Sonic Electric Toothbrush

    The Fayet Bamboo Sonic electric toothbrush has a head made of bamboo and a body made of plastic that’s waterproof and can be used more than once.

    The cool toothbrush has induction charging technology that lasts for 6 weeks. 

    FOREO ISSA 3 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

    The FOREO ISSA 3 rechargeable Electric Sonic Toothbrush has a hybrid brush head that mixes soft silicone for a gentle massage with hard PBT bristles to break down the toughest plaque. 

    The battery life is very long, lasting 1 year on only 2 hours of charging. That's right, 2 hours equals a year of brushing power.

    Quip Electric Toothbrush

    The Quip electric brush is a compact option that provides gentle and effective daily cleaning. 

    It has a thin and light plastic handle for easy use. Soft, rounded bristles are ideal for sensitive gums. 

    This brush uses AAA batteries that last up to 3 months. 

    Boka Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

    The Boka Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush has bristles that aren't rough and get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath. 

    The high frequency of the removable brush head provides a gentle massage experience. 

    The rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for more than 25 days. 

    Philips Sonicare Clean Saver 4100 Electric Toothbrush

    The Philips SonicareClean 4100 electric toothbrush is 7 times more effective at removing plaque than a regular toothbrush. 

    The battery lasts 14 days. 

    This electric toothbrush has replacement heads for easy use and a two-minute timer with a Quadpacer that gently moves you to new areas of your mouth at a slower pace.

    Top 5 Zero-Waste Toothbrushes

    The top 5 zero-waste toothbrushes require a bit of a disclaimer before I dive in.

    Remember: living a zero-waste lifestyle doesn't literally mean ZERO waste; it means doing my best to reduce my waste.

    This is why eco-friendly toothbrushes, while sustainably sourced, aren't 100% biodegradable.

    However, they are still a great option for those looking to lessen their impact on the environment.

    Here are my top picks:

    Bamboo’s Zero Waste Toothbrushes

    These bamboo toothbrushes feature bristles made from 100% castor oil.

    Although made from bio-based castor oil, the bristles aren’t certified to be biodegradable. 

    Even though they will eventually break down, you shouldn't put them in your home compost. 

    EcoRoots’s Zero Waste Toothbrushes

    Vegan and cruelty-free, these toothbrushes have 100% compostable bamboo handles. 

    It's also antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial.

    The bristles are still nylon, and although they are BPA-free and non-toxic, they aren’t biodegradable.

    Humble Co.’s Zero Waste Toothbrushes

    Humble Co. offers a wide range of toothbrush-friendly options for children and adults. 

    Although not completely “green”, these toothbrushes are vegan and cruelty-free. 

    The handle is also made from 100% biodegradable and sustainably grown bamboo.

    Life Without Plastic’s Zero Waste Toothbrushes

    This brand also has extras like floss and toothpaste that you can use for free to take care of your teeth. 

    You might be surprised to find out what's on these durable toothbrush heads… boar hair!

    Don't worry; it’s carefully cleaned. 

    Since there’s no plastic here, this toothbrush is 100% free of PVC, lead, phthalates, and BPA.

    Me Mother Earth’s Zero Waste Toothbrushes

    Me Mother Earth uses bamboo. 

    However, unlike the other types, bamboo is inserted into both the handle and the bristles of these toothbrushes for children and adults.

    Bamboo charcoal is what makes the bristles black and adds extra lift and strength to fight plaque. 

    Underneath the bamboo brush, like many of these other types, the bristles are made of less efficient nylon bristles.

    Common Questions

    What’s the Best Eco-Friendly Toothbrush Not Made of Wood?

    How Long Does an Eco-Friendly Toothbrush Last?

    Do Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes Clean Teeth Effectively?

    How Do Plant-Based Toothbrushes Taste?

    Do Environmentally Friendly Toothbrushes Need to Be Made of Plants?

    In Conclusion

    No matter what you're looking for, rest assured that your eco-friendly toothbrushes is a great addition to your oral care routine and is also environmentally friendly. 

    To make your search for a free toothbrush easier, we've provided you with a list of trusted toothbrush brands, so you can easily find any free toothbrush you're looking for.

    Choose a toothbrush that is not only effective at cleaning your teeth but also environmentally friendly. 

    So jump in and let's make a big difference by creating a cleaner planet together, one toothbrush at a time.

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