Make a Difference with Your Toothbrush
Every year, billions of plastic toothbrushes end up in landfills or the ocean. The toothbrush industry itself is oriented towards the production of very cheap and disposable plastic toothbrushes. That’s something The Goodwell Company hopes to change with the launch of a ‘smart’ toothbrush made from sustainable materials including surgical grade aluminium, biodegradable bamboo composites and Binchotan, a natural charcoal fibre.
The idea for making a toothbrush from sustainable materials came to industrial designer Patrick Triato after looking at pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a wasteland of plastic floating off the coast of California. Struck by photos of birds that had swallowed the plastic, and in particular a bird that managed to swallow an entire toothbrush, Triato decided to take his career in direction that could hopefully make a difference. Goodwell’s sustainable toothbrush was the result.
Not only does this toothbrush look great, but it is also designed to last a lifetime – and stay away from the ocean floor. The handle is made from surgical grade aluminium that is guaranteed for life. The tips and attachments, including a flosser, are made from a biodegradable bamboo composite. Every few months, the tips of the brush and its attachments should be changed for hygiene reasons. The discarded parts can be composted and will begin to decompose after 90 days. Replacement parts are provided through a subscription service.
The bristles of the brush are made from Binchotan, a biodegradable charcoal fibre that to date has been most commonly used in Japan. Binchotan is a particularly interesting material for toothbrushes because the charcoal fibres naturally deflect negative ions, have a deodorizing effect and prevent harmful bacteria and viruses from growing on the brush bristles.
As an added bonus, The Goodwell Company are releasing the CAD data for the proprietary attachments so that users can develop their own attachment parts and share design ideas. And if you like to collect data, they are also developing an internal tracking device for the toothbrush that will ultimately sync with a website and eventually the apple health app.
Last but not least, this toothbrush comes with a lifetime guarantee.
You can find out more and support this initiative here.
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