Brush With Bamboo is my new favorite toothbrush
After reading my blog, and especially the review of several different eco-friendly toothbrushes, Rohit Kumar and his friend Rohit Sahdev were inspired to create the perfect plastic-free toothbrush. While they haven’t yet found a way to create a brush that is completely plastic-free, they’re getting close. Their company is called Brush With Bamboo, and I’ve really been enjoying using the various toothbrush incarnations they’ve developed over the past year and observing the Rohits’ efforts to create a brush whose materials and packaging are more and more sustainable. I gave Ro K. lots of feedback and suggestions, and he listened and took action. THAT is the kind of person/company I want to support!
(Brush with Bamboo is available from Amazon.)
The Handle
I love the curved handle on the brush as well as the length. The one in the picture on the right is the earliest version. It’s more curved. But to achieve that effect, it had to be made out of several pieces of bamboo bonded together. Rohit Kumar says that he couldn’t get a guarantee that the adhesive was plastic-free and non-toxic, so in the second version, he opted for a brush that is slightly less curved and a bit thinner but made from one solid piece of bamboo. But compared to the handle of the Environmental Toothbrush that I reviewed in my previous post, it’s much more comfortable to hold and is longer as well.
When considering other bamboo toothbrushes or other bamboo products for that matter, consider the shape and size. If they are solid and round or thick, they are probably several pieces held together with some kind of glue. Just something to keep in mind as other toothbrushes come on the market.
Bristles
The bristles, too, are curved, which is really nice compared to that other brush. The bristles, however, are not plastic-free. They are made of nylon. So far, no one has been able to come up with bristles that are both plastic- and animal-free. Rohit’s original brush included bamboo and tea fibers combined with the nylon, but he received feedback that the bristles wore out too soon, so in version 2 he eliminated those fibers. I would love someone to come up with the perfect natural toothbrush bristle fibers. Please keep trying!
The Packaging
The box is made of recycled paper and does not contain any glue. It’s held together by tabs instead of adhesive. Rohit says that’s a real concern when choosing cardboard boxes. The box also has empty window cutouts instead of plastic windows.
Inside the box, the brush is wrapped in a corn-based compostable plastic wrapper. Ro even sent me the certification to prove it.
I expressed my concern about the wrapper to Ro. I’m not a big fan of these corn-based plastics because growing corn has a huge environmental impact and most of it is GMO. Also, these plastics require an industrial composting facility to break down.
I suggested using a cellulose wrapper instead, and Ro has told me he has sourced such a wrapper and will try it in the next iteration of the brush.
The Brush with Bamboo website also has information about proper disposal of the toothbrush once it wears out (including clever ways to reuse the handle) and other environmental information.
Made in China
Yes, these toothbrushes are made in China. So are the Environmental Toothbrushes. Bamboo grows like crazy in China. Ro has been there to visit the facility where the toothbrushes are made. He’s confident the conditions are good because he’s seen it with his own eyes and posted pictures of the facility and management on the website. Check out the photos of the visit and descriptions of seeking out more sustainable packaging.
Clean Planetware
Developing sustainable products runs in the family. Ro’s dad sells a line of reusable stainless steel food containers and dinnerware called Clean Planetware to encourage people to avoid disposable restaurant packaging.
Hi Beth! I saw that this post was way back 2013.. I’m just wondering if this is still your favorite toothbrush? I’m looking for a good biodegradable toothbrush which I can use..
Thanks
hey! is it still ur fav toothbrush? what about humble toothbrushes? thanx!
https://thehumble.co/products/humble-products/kids-purple-ultra-soft/
My razor has a separate handle and blade. The blade is disposable, but the handle I can use again and again. Why aren’t toothbrushes made this way?
What about this? Looks like it’s shipped from the US, but if it’s not grown locally, maybe being brought into the States in large quantities? It looks like the packaging isn’t a concern for the company- small business. But, the product is 100% eco…
http://www.miswakstick.com/contact.html
Came across this post in my search for a new better for the environment toothbrush and I’ve ordered a 4 pack of the toothbrushes. I’m excited to try these out! If they work well (which it seems like they do) you’ve got a regular customer – I might buy the largest pack and distribute some to my family, see if I can’t get them on to this type!
Thank you for this post!
It looks fantastic, and a good step in the right direction. Let’s hope that one day someone can solve the problem of making plastic-free bristles!
you will be brushing for many years to come 😉 remember BrushwithBamboo.com
AneCristi
Hi Ane,
I just want to say that currently most brands of toothbrushes whether plastic or bamboo are all made in China. Even if you buy them at your local store there were probably shipped from China. At least when you throw them away they will disappear if they are made of bamboo.
Why can’t these be made with the biodegradable nylon bristles like the Environmental Toothbrush? I find it very bothersome to have to remove bristles and send them for recycling.
Hi I loved it! But I have a question: Is the shipping from China to the house of the person (in my case Brazil) sustainable? I want to say, maybe the fuel spended are so that is better to buy plastic brush in a local shop? It is a real concern for me, I don’t know what impacts the environment most. I get this thought every time I think of buying somthing by internet. If you can help me I’ll be glad. Thank you!
I love how candid you are about all the different material and processes that go into making the brush. This is what sets you guys apart from other companies making bamboo brushes who would never mention something such as the adhesive used to bind the bamboo together. Thanks so much for the work you guys are doing! Just bought a 4 pack =)
Hello! What do you say about this brush – THRIVING TOOTHBRUSH? The site says that “100% natural toothbrush with a handle made of sustainable bamboo and biodegradable polymer bristles”
I love this I’m about to order a set of these! One thought: Might there be a way to reduce waste (and cost to consumers) even further by making the head replaceable? You could perhaps make it ‘click’ into place like a puzzle piece so it doesn’t come apart by brushing. Then you’d only have to dispose/compost of a piece of wood that is only and inch or an inch and a half. That, along with the development of plastic-free bristles, would make me a fan for life!
Eve Stavros Heading there now to see if I can also get in on the sale, thanks for sharing!
So excited about this, I’m relegating my unused old dentist giveaways to my travel kit (where they will last for years) and hopping right over to the website to order a pack. And the 4-pack is on sale right now, with free shipping as well! Gosh, I love a plastic-free bargain!!!
I bought this toothbrush most recently, as well. I like it, but I’d actually love if they offered animal hair bristles.. Any chance that might happen?!
Right now the only totally natural ones I can get are from life without plastic, which look nice, but I can get this toothbrush at my local co-op.
So, if you can get a natural options like the pig hairs or even having the option of what you used to use that some people complained about I’d absolutely LOVE that.
Thanks for being so active in trying to create a great product.
Kenji Yamada Hi Kenji – Yes I have put some feelers out to scientists and product developers. It is theoretically possible to make an all plant-based bristle polymer. It would take significant time and investment. I hope that our company can be a part of this push. If the demand is there, the investment will be put into the research, I’m sure.
Thank you for the support!
eascello Thank you!
Hi Jonnie. Yes we had many people that liked the first iteration. But quite a large number (maybe up to 20%) that had an issue with the bristles giving out way too quickly on them. So we were convinced that we had to do something. Our new toothbrush is really the best toothbrush I’ve ever used – and many of our customers are echoing this. I hope you’ll stick with us.
Love this! So cool how they are continually trying to improve the design and materials with feedback from customers. An awesome model for future businesses.
-I should add, though, that this toothbrush is fabulous and brilliantly conceived!
I have the earlier iteration with the mixed bristles, and find that is one of the major “likes”. I would much prefer a shorter bristle lifespan than going back to all nylon/plastic!
This is great!! Glad to see another alternative to plastic!
Awesome, this is the kind of business I want to support!
Maybe some kind of contest could be held to find an alternative material for toothbrush bristles meeting a certain set of criteria. Wikipedia says they used to be made from animal hairs until plastic ones became common. Has Ro talked to any materials science people?