The Best Vegan and Sustainable Toothbrushes

Last updated on October 5th, 2023

If you’re searching for the best vegan and sustainable toothbrushes you’re in the right place.

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.

Please note that this page contains affiliate links. While I only recommend products that I believe in, I may benefit financially, at no extra cost to you, from any purchases you make.

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 those 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. However, it’s important to consider the biodegradability of the bristles as well. 

A vegan toothbrush is one that doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients, such as natural bristles from animals like boar hair. Instead, it uses synthetic or plant-based bristles.

A toothbrush is not vegan if it contains any animal-derived materials, such as bristles made from animal hair.

Answering what’s the best vegan toothbrush is hard because we all have different ideas of what’s the best. 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 stylish, sustainable alternatives to plastic products. Their Organic Bamboo Toothbrush boasts firm bristles, perfect for a thorough clean. Crafted from FSC-certified MOSO bamboo, the handle has unique patterns making it easy to find yours. While they aim to use biodegradable bristles, they currently say the best vegan option available is DuPont Nylon. 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 cares about ethical sourcing and supports the Marine Conservation Society. While continuing to explore sustainable options, they take quality seriously.

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

The Jordan Green Clean Toothbrush mixes design, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Crafted from 90% recycled materials, the handle uses reclaimed plastic from items like yoghurt containers, while 100% bio-based nylon derived from castor oil, forms the soft bristles. This ergonomic toothbrush works well to reach challenging areas. It also comes in eco-friendly packaging, crafted 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 biodegradable. Their bamboo toothbrushes have medium bristles and come in a recyclable, plastic-free box.

They promote an eco-conscious lifestyle by reducing plastic waste. Regn 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 both oral care and environmental impact. These brushes, developed and endorsed by dentists, 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. 

Follow me on Instagram to see all the delicious vegan food I find, the vegan and cruelty-free products I use and what I get up to as a travelling vegan.

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