How to take care of your dental health while maintaining zero waste?
The environment is a hot topic and we can no longer ignore the impact of modern consumption on our planet. And while the task may seem insurmountable, the solution lies in small, daily changes. Adopting a zero-waste lifestyle can seem like a difficult commitment to keep, especially in our busy urban lives, and it therefore seems more likely to improve your routines little by little, to change your habits step by step and stick to them, rather than radically transforming your home and your daily life overnight.
One sector that has recently been in the news is cosmetics and hygiene. The figures show that taking care of oneself is often done to the detriment of nature. Not only do the products found on the market have an almost systematic excess of packaging, but their components are often non-recyclable and the chemical elements they contain are not necessarily without consequences for our biological environment. Thus, nearly 300 million toothbrushes are sold each year in France and, due to their limited lifespan, they also represent 1,400 tonnes of all household waste generated by France. On a global scale, more than 3,000 tonnes of toothpaste tubes end up in landfills each year. Added to this catastrophic observation is that of the ingredients that these packages contain and which are also harmful: recent studies reveal that some are dangerous, in the long term, for our health, just as they pollute water, a vital natural resource. Faced with these alarming figures, it is time to act by adopting a more responsible attitude.
Choosing your toothbrush
It goes without saying, however, that any change in your oral health habits requires a discussion with your practitioner, because we are not all equal when it comes to the health of our mouths. In fact, if you need to relieve a cavity, it's here . Adopting a greener attitude should in no way sacrifice the hygiene of your teeth and it is important to choose solutions that have been approved by your specialist. The good news is that there are more and more of them: many companies are launching these days offering eco-friendly items and formulas, while others are converting to a cleaner approach. We recently saw the arrival on our shelves of the Caliquo rechargeable toothbrushes that considerably reduce the waste created by our modern oral routines without involving any real change in your practices. There are several models, and we suggest you turn to a bamboo or wooden toothbrush , which are completely recyclable. The ones we offer, for example, are particularly elegant and entirely made in France to reduce the carbon footprint of the product as much as possible. If you are ready to go even further than the sustainable toothbrush , try the siwak or araq wood. This stringy root can be used to clean your teeth as effectively as a modern tool: simply remove the bark that surrounds its internal filaments, and after a few uses, it is a safe bet that you will have gotten the hang of it!
We continue with organic natural toothpaste
To complete your new ethical and ecological routine, you can also choose to use a natural toothpaste, whose formula is not likely to have a harmful impact on water and whose packaging will not clutter up landfills. Here again, a growing number of brands and supermarkets are now mobilizing and meeting the demands of the responsible consumer with toothpastes with plant-based or even organic ingredients. In order to limit packaging to the bare minimum, some companies even offer solid toothpastes, thus avoiding the ever-thorny problem of recycling the tube. Of course, natural toothpastes foam less than their mass-market equivalents, but this is simply a question of habit that you will quickly unlearn. And in any case, know that it is the mechanical action of brushing more than the use of a particular product or ingredient that is necessary for oral health. The feeling of fresh breath is, however, an undisputed advantage of using toothpaste and it is quite normal to prefer to use it. Bar toothpastes are very easy to use: you only have to rub your toothbrush two or three times on the block before starting your usual oral routine. Practical to carry everywhere, they are also ideal to take on vacation, in your cabin baggage. This solid format is so successful that it is now also suitable for other bathroom classics, such as deodorant or shampoo bars. The greenest solution is perhaps to make your own: this way, you avoid any carbon footprint, you do not generate any waste due to packaging and you can ensure the quality and simplicity of its ingredients.
We wrote an article about siwak which is available right here: siwak
To sum up, deciding to become a responsible consumer is no longer reserved for those who have the time and patience to prepare their own cleaning or hygiene products, although recipes, ecological tips and blogs dedicated to them are now abundant on the internet. Nowadays, on the shelves of our supermarkets, there are green alternatives to consumer products that allow you to avoid excess packaging or the excessive use of chemicals. You no longer have to choose between your health and the planet, between ecology and lifestyle. The transition to zero waste is not a long and complicated process, and you can absolutely have an attractive smile while respecting the environment!
Our rechargeable toothbrushes , our children's toothbrushes , our razor and our shaving brush .