Team: Tyler Guarino, Damini Frey, Cliffe Li, and Raunaq Singh
Components:
Plastic handle - China
Rubber grip - China
Nylon bristles - China
Metal staples - China
Cardboard (packaging) - China
Plastic (packaging) - China
Not sustainable
Transportation from source (China) to manufacturer (Iowa City)
It is manufactured and packaged in the same facility in Iowa City
11,241 km from China to Iowa City
Production
Produce the handle- injection molding. The cycle time to produce a solid toothbrush in this mold is typically 32 seconds
Reform plastic by heating
Thread and staple the bristles
Attach the grip
Sterilize toothbrush
Produces CO2, solid waste such as plastic, and waste water
All OralB factories use renewable energy, which means 0 kg of CO2 is produced.
Transportation from manufacturer (Iowa City) to client (Stores across US)
Iowa to client is 5,000km max
Use
Product is used for 6.3 months in US on average
Packaging is used from when it is packaged to when it is bought and opened which is about 1-4 weeks
Product is placed in trash and ends up in landfills after its use
Alternatives
Biodegradable toothbrush
Electric toothbrush
Plant root
Fingers
Wash cloth
Solution
A biodegradable/recyclable toothbrush made with a recycled metal handle, compostable and biodegradable head that is made of bamboo and bio-based adhesive.
Sources
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10111619/3/Ashley_Manuscript.pdf
https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-care-sustainability
https://www.electricteeth.com/toothbrush-manufacture/