The manufacturing of plastic products is inevitable. They have been part of homes and communities. From household furniture and appliances to playground equipment, plastics are present. Plastics take 1000 years to decompose. Things used daily, such as toothbrushes, need sustainability. They are necessary for maintaining teeth and gums’ health. Without a doubt, they are non-biodegradable and the environment cannot absorb them fast. Can toothbrushes be recycled? If this question lingers in your mind, read this.
As plastics take 1000 years to decompose, 1000 ways are also available to capitalize on them. There are recycling companies whose goal is to end plastic wastes in the environment. Recycling companies pelletized hard plastics to form new useful products.
Plastic pellets are the building blocks of almost every product made of plastics. These plastic pellets go to companies manufacturing different kinds of plastic products. They form new products such as food containers, water bottles, soft drink bottles, and juice bottles. They can also be liquid soap bottles, shampoo bottles, medicine bottles, and containers. Not only those, but they can also be toys, outdoor signage, and waste and recycling receptacles. Plastic pellets can also be helpful in construction works. They can be rigid pipes, building siding, and commercial and residential flooring. Other products are blister wrap, cling wrap, blood bags, medical tubing, and wire insulation. There are also disposable shopping bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, plastic wraps, squeezable bottles, and garbage bags. Container lids, hot food containers, thermal vests, disposable diapers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, bike helmets, packaging, juice boxes, outdoor furniture, and luggage are also included. Lastly, products can also be car parts, household appliances, IT equipment, fiberglass piping, and eyeglasses.
Now, the question is, “Can you pelletized toothbrushes?” The answer is “YES!” Yet, toothbrushes have complicated parts. Toothbrushes are made up of several types of plastic – the handle, the nylon bristles, and the grip or rubber around the handle. To hold the bristles in place, there is a metal staple on the brush head. For electric toothbrushes, the parts are circuit, battery, charger coil, switch, rubber ring, and oscillating brush head. In short, toothbrushes are made up of plastic, aluminum, steel, and nylon. These parts are separated one by one. The bristles are removed, cleaned, and shredded. The plastic handle is shredded and pelletized. The metal undergoes standard recycling. The pelletized parts are used in the manufacturing of new plastic products. They can be benches, tables, and playground equipment, and more.
The tricky processes should never be a hindrance to recycling toothbrushes. Do you know that they open great opportunities?
What does the recycling of toothbrushes do for the people, the community, and the planet?
Recycling toothbrushes and other plastic create a positive impact for the people, the community, and the planet. Disassembling their parts means opportunities for people to earn. Pelletizing them means opportunities to establish small businesses. Collecting more plastics from villages to cities means opportunities to reduce plastic wastes. It reduces plastic pollution in the rivers and oceans. The harm to the environment will decrease.
The collection of plastics from the barrios and cities makes micro-businesses. Operating machinery to shred and pelletize create employment for the low-skilled workers. That is why plastics should not be considered as wastes but as a resource. It is an engine that will supply countless financial flows. It can be an instrument for economic recovery.
Moreover, the plastic pollution on the planet decreases with a continuous process.
In the case of bamboo toothbrushes, they are certainly recyclable. They are compostable. A similar process will be applied. The bristles must be removed. The bamboo handle must be shredded before putting them in the compost pit.
Are you creative?
You can turn plastic toothbrushes into nice crafts. Discarded ones can be created as the following:
· Candy Stick Ornaments for Christmas Tree
Wash each discarded toothbrush. Dry them. Cover them with used papers to form an even and smooth shape. Prepare white and red art papers. Cut them lengthwise. Glue the cut white and red art papers diagonally and tie the excess art papers on both ends. Hang them one by one and you now have candy sticks on your Christmas tree.
· Artificial Flowers on the Fences
Have your green and yellow paint ready. Green is for the stems and leaves and yellow is for the flowers. Get the discarded toothbrushes. Remove the head of them and arrange them as a bouquet on each post of your fence. Use the cut toothbrush as leaves on the outer corner. Paint the handle green and the bristles that serve as flowers yellow.
· Pen Holder
Prepare a tin can, white paper, stick glue, and discarded toothbrushes. Cut the head of the toothbrushes based on the size of the can. Wash and dry them. Clean the can and use the white paper to cover all its parts. Glue the handle of each toothbrush upright around the can. Decorate the top with a thick cord. You now have a pen holder.
· Doormat
If you want a cleaner floor, you better do this at home. Clean the discarded toothbrushes and dry them. Cut the part containing the bristles. Get a superglue and glue them one by one on an old mat leaving no space. Once done, place it on your door and let it remove all the dirt in your feet or shoe.
You can also make lanterns, toy bridges, fences, and flooring for cages out of toothbrushes. But if you got no time for this artistic drama, just segregate them. Separate plastic toothbrushes and other plastic water. Sell them to the communities engaged in recycling plastics.
No Plastic Collectors and Recycling Companies in your Area?
Do not worry if there are no plastic collectors and recycling companies in your area. This may be right the time for you to start your business. Start engaging yourself in the recycling communities. Become environment conscious and business-oriented. What a nice jumpstart to fuel your financial processes and pave your success!