Discover 2024’s Top Vegan and Sustainable Toothbrushes: Eco-Friendly Choices for a Greener Smile

Last updated on December 31st, 2023

If you’re searching for the best vegan and sustainable toothbrushes you’re in the right place to find some amazingly eco-friendly choices for a greener smile.

In this post, I’m going to talk about what makes toothbrushes vegan and sustainable and then I’ll share with you a few of the best options I’ve found.

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Toothbrush handles can be made using various materials, including plastic, bamboo, or even recycled materials. The bristles can be made from nylon or other synthetic materials, or they could be natural bristles, like those made from boar hair, which are not vegan.

Eco-friendly toothbrushes are made from sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled plastics, or other biodegradable materials.

Bamboo toothbrushes are among the most popular eco-friendly options because bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, it can be grown sustainably and it’s also fully biodegradable.

These things make bamboo toothbrushes a much more sustainable option when compared to more traditional plastic toothbrushes. Especially when you consider that according to WWF 3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold worldwide each year.

However, it is also important to consider the biodegradability of the bristles as well.

Many people don’t know this, but not all toothbrushes are vegan. It may not be the first thing you think about when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, it certainly wasn’t something I thought about right away but don’t worry there are plenty of cruelty-free options available. A vegan toothbrush does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, such as natural bristles from animals like boar hair. Instead, it uses synthetic or plant-based bristles.

So, if you want to know if your regular toothbrush is vegan or not you’re probably fine, most are vegan but it’s better to check. A toothbrush is not vegan if it contains any animal-derived materials, such as bristles made from animal hair, if this is the case it will usually be clearly stated on the packaging.

Answering what’s the best vegan toothbrush is hard because we all have different ideas of what makes a truly good toothbrush, dentists don’t even always agree.

But the most sustainable vegan toothbrush would probably be one with a bamboo handle and bristles made from a plant-based, biodegradable material like castor bean oil-based nylon.

However bamboo isn’t the only plant-based material used to make toothbrushes, so providing the materials are sourced in an environmentally friendly way, other plant-based materials could be a great option too. 

Wild & Stone is a trusted brand offering cute, sustainable alternatives to plastic products. Their Organic Bamboo Toothbrushes have firm bristles, perfect for a thorough cleaning. Made from FSC-certified MOSO bamboo, the handle has pretty and unique patterns making it easy to find yours.

While Wild & Stone say they aim to use biodegradable bristles, they currently say the best vegan option available is DuPont Nylon but continue to explore sustainable options. The toothbrush comes in plastic-free, recyclable packaging with toxin-free vegetable dyes. At the toothbrush’s end-of-life, you can compost the handle after removing the bristles.

Wild & Stone also care about ethical sourcing and they support the Marine Conservation Society.

Take a look at Wild & Stone’s Organic Bamboo Toothbrush here.

The Jordan Green Clean Toothbrush is a great mix of design, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. I love that it’s made from 90% recycled materials. The handle uses recycled plastic from items like yoghurt containers, while the 100% bio-based nylon-derived bristles are made from castor oil.

It’s also an ergonomic toothbrush that works well in reaching the challenging areas. And it even comes in eco-friendly packaging, made from recycled paper.

Take a look at Jordan’s Green Clean Manual Toothbrush here. 

Regn’s bamboo toothbrushes offer eco-friendly oral care. The handle is made from sustainable bamboo and is fully biodegradable. Their bamboo toothbrushes have medium bristles and come in a recyclable, plastic-free box.

I’m a fan of the Regn and love to support than because they promote an eco-conscious lifestyle through all their products. They are advocates for a zero-waste world and help their customers live a more sustainable life.

Regn also cares about ethically made products that are sourced using sustainable materials and low-emission manufacturing.

Take a look at Regn Bamboo toothbrushes here

The Humble Co.’s Bamboo Toothbrush cares about looking after both our teeth and our precious environment. These brushes are endorsed by dentists, and offer effective cleaning with a biodegradable bamboo handle. BPA-free nylon-6 bristles ensure a natural, organic brushing experience. They also use packaging that is fully recyclable and compostable, in their effort to work towards a healthier planet.

And maybe the best part the Humble Smile Foundation’s “Go Humble Gives Smiles” initiative donates toothbrushes to children in need for every purchase. 

Take a look at The Humble Co. Bamboo toothbrush here. 

SURI Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush is the ultimate vegan and eco-friendly electric toothbrush.

Experience exceptional oral care with the SURI Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush, setting new standards for sustainability and performance. This innovative toothbrush has a slender yet powerful design, featuring the groundbreaking MicraSonic magnetic motor. Despite its compact size, it delivers an impressive 33,000 vibrations per minute – that’s a lot! The durable matte aluminium body is not only pretty cool but also repairable by the company, meaning a longer lifespan and reduced waste.

It’s made using a recyclable plant-based head and bristles. Crafted from cornstarch and castor oil, these materials contribute to reduced plastic waste. SURI also offer a hassle-free recycling program for these components, closing the recycling loop.

The toothbrush arrives in fully recyclable packaging and with the inclusion of tongue scrapers, haptic notifications and a remarkable 40+ day battery life through the USB stand, SURI really does offer a high-quality vegan and sustainable electric toothbrush. 

Take a look at SURI’s Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush here. 

Yes, some toothbrush bristles are made from pig hair, which is not vegan. However, this is less common these days. Most modern toothbrushes use nylon bristles or other synthetic materials. While nylon is considered vegan it’s not usually an eco-friendly and sustainable material. 

Bamboo toothbrushes can be vegan if they have synthetic or plant-based bristles. While it’s very uncommon, some bamboo toothbrushes may still have natural bristles made from animal hair, so it’s important to check the product details.

Bamboo is biodegradable but bamboo toothbrushes are not always 100% biodegradable depending on the type of bristles used. While the bamboo handle is biodegradable, the bristles are often made from nylon, which is not readily biodegradable. However, there are newer alternatives like bristles made from castor bean oil-based nylon that are more eco-friendly.

Bamboo toothbrushes can be eco-friendly due to bamboo being a sustainable and renewable resource that is biodegradable. However, the overall eco-friendliness also depends on the manufacturing process, transportation, and the materials used for the bristles. However, they are much more eco-friendly than toothbrushes with plastic handles. 

Yes, bamboo toothbrushes can develop mould if they are consistently exposed to moisture and not allowed to dry properly between uses. Bamboo naturally holds on to moisture for a long time so it’s important to store them in a dry area and allow them to air dry after each use. The good news is that the quality of bamboo toothbrushes is improving and many brands are coating the toothbrushes to reduce the absorption of moisture. But sometimes the coating may not be vegan as it may be made using beeswax, so that’s another thing to look out for. 

Using eco-friendly toothbrushes can contribute to reducing plastic waste and environmental impact. While they might be slightly more expensive than cheap traditional plastic toothbrushes. Having a good toothbrush that has a positive impact on the environment feels worth it to me.

Colgate offers a range of toothbrushes, many of which are technically vegan. They also have bamboo toothbrushes, which are not vegan because they use beeswax to reduce water absorption. They also have brushes that are made from 95% recycled materials which is great. However, Colgate is not a cruelty-free brand so this is enough to make me choose another brand.

Yes, there are some fully biodegradable toothbrushes available with fully biodegradable components, both the handle and bristles. It’s still important to be sure the claims made by the manufacturers are true. There’s a lot of greenwashing going on and some products might use terms like “biodegradable” loosely.

Oral-B toothbrushes typically use nylon bristles. The composition of the bristles might vary, and some models might use bristles with different levels of softness or additional features.

Remember, when choosing a toothbrush, it’s essential to read product descriptions and labels because there are so many variations you need to make sure the one you choose is vegan and eco-friendly.

Whether you’ve gone for an electric or manual toothbrush I hope you’ve found the perfect vegan and sustainable toothbrush for you. 

If you want some more tips and tricks on living your best and healthiest vegan life take a look at my Vegan Health and Beauty page.

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Meet the Author

Meet Sinead O’Carroll: Vegan explorer, sustainability advocate and the founder of The Wondering Wandering Vegan. Embracing veganism since 2018 and vegetarianism since 2005, Sinead is armed with a Vegan Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle qualification, and is on a mission to share her passion for cruelty-free living. 

With a taste for adventure and a heart for eco-conscious choices, she’s here to prove that vegans never miss out on flavour, fun or style. Join her in enjoying the delights of a vegan-friendly world! 🌱✈️🌍
Want to know more? Check out Sinead’s About page here.

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