If you have an electric toothbrush that no longer works, you can dispose of it. There are multiple ways to do that.
The best way to dispose of an electric toothbrush is to recycle it. Throwing it away in the bin is highly not recommended.
This guide walks you through more details on properly disposing of electric toothbrushes.
Why Responsible Electric Toothbrush Disposal is Important
If you have an electric toothbrush you don’t need, you might be throwing it away. However, it is advised to not simply dump it in the bin.
It is recommended that you don’t throw away electric products in your general waste. This includes your electric toothbrush.
Your electric toothbrush, its components, and the batteries will then be sitting in the landfill.
This can be extremely dangerous for the environment and detrimental to the health of humans and animals.
Electrical components and batteries in a landfill can result in pollution, contamination, and even poisoning.
They can lead to burned skin and eyes, contaminated streams and lakes, and much more.
This is mainly due to the toxic materials and the chemicals found in the batteries of such electric products.
Hence, you should avoid putting such things that have batteries in them with your general waste.
The chemicals and toxic materials in these batteries will leak and seep into the soil. As a result, they can even end up being present in the food and water you consume.
All in all, it is imperative that you dispose of your electric toothbrush in a responsible and suitable manner.
Disposing Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush is mainly comprised of plastic. Nylon is used to make the brush heads and bristles.
Additionally, they also come with a rechargeable battery. All of the plastic used to make electric toothbrushes is recyclable.
Moreover, even nylon can be recycled. Currently, there are no eco-friendly and completely recyclable electric toothbrushes.
However, the good news is that you can recycle components of the electric toothbrush. This is why disposing of an electric toothbrush is not entirely difficult.
When it comes to disposing of electric toothbrushes, you must consider recycling as an option.
Your options for disposing of electric toothbrushes mainly consist of disposing of the plastic and nylon components.
Recycling Electric Toothbrush Brush Head
You already have to replace the brush head of your electric toothbrush after every three months. Since these are made of nylon and other plastics, they cannot be recycled.
Therefore, you have to dispose of the brush head in the general waste. However, as awareness of plastic waste pollution is increasing, options for disposing of are growing.
Some companies have introduced initiatives to recycle plastic and nylon in brush heads for free. However, getting hold of them and giving it for recycling might be difficult.
You can look up recycling programs and initiatives for recycling brush heads in your local area. If there is such a program, you will need to drop off the brush heads at that location.
Some programs might offer you the option of shipping the parts to them as well.
Additionally, some might require you to drop off specific components or the entire toothbrush.
Recycling Electric Toothbrush Handle
The toothbrush handle is made up of plastic. Hence, when you dump it in general waste, it might remain there forever.
However, plastic can be recycled and used to make other materials. This is why you should consider recycling the toothbrush handle.
It is certainly the more environmentally safer thing to do as it will help you reduce your wastage. To recycle, you will need to remove the battery from the electric toothbrush first.
As mentioned earlier, the battery is toxic and dangerous. Before sending your electric toothbrush for recycling, you must remove the battery.
You can remove the battery with the use of a screwdriver. Firstly, you must break apart the toothbrush to reveal the inner components.
One such component is the battery itself. Take it out and set it apart so you can recycle it as well.
You will then need to find out any local or international agency that recycles electric toothbrushes. You can check online resources for this.
Once you do, it is time to sort the components of the electric toothbrush. You have already removed the battery.
Now, you must sort the metal parts and the plastic ones separately. Keep them in separate bags, boxes, or envelopes to give to recycling agencies.
You might need to drop it off directly at the agency or mail it to them. Contact the agency beforehand to learn about the appropriate method.
Reusing Electric Toothbrush
If recycling is not an option or sounds like a lot of work, consider reusing the electric toothbrush. There are multiple ways you can use your electric toothbrush that is not brushing.
Moreover, reusing your old electric toothbrush means that you are reducing your landfill impact. It also means that you are being environmentally conscious.
The best part is that reusing does not take a lot of work either. Here are some popular options for you to consider:
Cleaning Small Corners
We all have little corners and crevices in the house that need cleaning. However, very often, these are simply hard to reach.
This is why one of the best uses of electric toothbrushes is for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. A toothbrush can reach all the areas in your mouth.
It can also do the same for your house. For example, you can clean grout off the tiles with it.
The cleaning benefits of electric toothbrushes also extend to other areas, such as your car. You can get into the nooks and crannies to clean it with an electric toothbrush.
Additionally, you can clean small areas on your keyboard, mouse, and metal objects. Lastly, objects that catch small particles of dust, debris, and food, are great ideas.
Certainly, the cleaning uses of a discarded electric toothbrush are endless.
Polishing Purposes
If you have stained jewelry or metal objects that are rusting, you can use an electric toothbrush to revive them. This is because the toothbrush can get into all of the small areas and nooks.
Hence, this is why polishing is a good use for the electric toothbrush. You can use it to polish your rings, bracelets, or necklaces.
Polishing them with toothpaste or baking powder can remove the rust. It can significantly improve the quality of your jewelry.
To Remove Stains
Spot cleaning can often be difficult if you don’t have the right tools. Luckily, a great tool to have for such purposes is an electric toothbrush.
It can help you remove stains from your clothes, sofa, and other fabric. This is because the nylon on the brush head helps with the scrubbing of tough stains.
Mix it with detergent or a stain remover and scrub the stain with the toothbrush. You will certainly notice an improvement and even removal of the stain.
Incorporate it As Part of Your Manicure Routine
This might be an odd purpose for an electric toothbrush, but it is quite useful. If you are looking for a quick and effective way to clean your nails, this might be the one.
You can use an electric toothbrush to remove dirt on or under the nails. It can even polish the nails and give them a subtle shine.
This is why adding your old electric toothbrush to your manicure routine is not a bad idea.
Apply Hair Dye with It
Are you short of hair dye combs and brushes? Consider using your electric toothbrush instead. This works as an excellent alternative.
You can use the brush to apply the dye to the hard-to-reach areas. Not to mention, it makes the hair dye application process quick as well.
Use it For Art and Painting
Just like how an electric toothbrush is good for applying the dye, it is also good for paint application.
You can get creative with your kids and use it to add different textures to paintings or pots.
You can also create your own designs with them. All in all, it will be an engaging and fun activity to do with your kids or by yourself.
Remove Sticky Marks on the Wall
Electric toothbrushes work great at removing sticky marks. This is because of the tough bristles and the rotating motion.
By mixing a cleaning agent and an electric toothbrush, you can remove those stubborn marks.
Cleaning Dust from Hairbrushes
Another good way to use an electric toothbrush is for cleaning hairbrushes with it. The toothbrush can get into the areas between the brush’s bristles.
Such areas accumulate dust over time. You can easily remove it with an electric toothbrush.
Final Words
By disposing of your electric toothbrush wisely, you are reducing your carbon footprint. You also protect the environment from further damage.
While recycling might seem tedious, it can pay off in the long run. Otherwise, you can consider reusing your electric toothbrush.
There are multiple purposes of an electric toothbrush besides brushing. You can use it for cleaning tough spots.
You can also use it for polishing your jewelry and cleaning your car, hairbrushes, etc. Lastly, you can get creative and even make art with your electric toothbrush.
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