Trystan Casey
Electric toothbrushes should be replaced every three months, or when the bristles become frayed or discoloured. However, it is important to dispose of them properly as they contain batteries and electronic components that can harm the environment and the health of people and animals if not disposed of correctly. Oral-B offers a recycling program where you can send in your used electric toothbrushes and other oral care products for recycling. Alternatively, you can locate your nearest recycling centre that accepts electric toothbrushes through websites like Recycle More. Properly disposing of and recycling your electric toothbrush helps reduce landfill waste and environmental harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to replace brush head | Every three months, or when the blue Indicator® bristles fade halfway to white, or earlier if fraying is noticed |
| How to clean | Rinse with tap water after use to remove toothpaste and debris; store upright to air-dry |
| How to prevent bristles from wearing out | Avoid over-brushing; use a Smart Pressure Sensor to indicate when you're brushing too hard |
| How to dispose | Do not throw away with regular garbage; remove the head and dispose of it separately; disassemble the toothbrush to separate electronic components from the plastic body; recycle the electronic components at a local battery recycling program or electronic waste recycling facility |
| Recycling programs | Oral-B Recycle On Us; LiveCoco toothbrush head recycling program; Boots recycling option for brush heads and paste tubes in-store |
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What You'll Learn
Electric toothbrush disposal dangers
Electric toothbrushes contain batteries and electronic components that can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. They can cause fires in the waste stream if crushed or damaged, and the valuable metals and plastic materials they contain can be recovered and reused if recycled properly.
The Oral-B Recycle On Us program accepts used Oral-B oral care products, including plastic toothbrushes, toothbrush head refills, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, and floss picks. However, electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and their parts (except refill brush heads) are not accepted for recycling through this program.
To recycle an electric toothbrush, you can:
- Check the brand's website or user manual for specific disposal guidelines.
- Remove the head and dispose of it separately.
- Extract the battery and dispose of it at a battery recycling facility.
- Disassemble the toothbrush to separate electronic components from the plastic body.
- Use online resources like Earth911 to find the nearest recycling facility that accepts electronic toothbrushes.
- Contact your local council, as some offer electrical waste collection or have special arrangements for electrical waste recycling.
- Donate your electric toothbrush to a charity if it is still functional.
It is important to note that electric toothbrushes should not be thrown in the bin with general rubbish. Proper disposal and recycling of electric toothbrushes are crucial steps towards environmental conservation.
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Oral-B's recycling program
Oral-B has partnered with Crest and Fixodent to create the Recycle On Us program, a free national recycling program that accepts used oral care products from these brands. The program is easy to use: simply request a free shipping label, gather and put your materials in a box, and send them to be recycled. The program accepts plastic toothbrushes, toothbrush head refills, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, and floss picks.
It is important to note that electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and their parts (except refill brush heads) are not accepted for recycling through this program. However, some users have reported that they were able to send in old electric toothbrushes, toothbrush chargers, and other dental-related items to Oral-B for recycling using a free shipping label.
The Recycle On Us program is part of Oral-B's sustainability journey, which includes initiatives such as using 100% renewable electricity in manufacturing sites across North America and improving water efficiency. By participating in this program, you can help ensure that used oral care products find new life and reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.
While the program is a step in the right direction, some have criticized it for not going far enough. Some users have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of shipping small packages and have suggested that Oral-B should invest in getting retailers to accept these items for recycling. Additionally, there have been concerns about the legitimacy of recycling programs, with some reports of companies simply stockpiling recycled materials in warehouses instead of properly recycling them.
To address these concerns, Oral-B could consider expanding its recycling program to include more drop-off locations, such as retailers, and providing more transparency about the recycling process to ensure that the recycled materials are being properly handled and reused.
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How to recycle brush heads
Oral-B offers a recycling program called Recycle On Us, which accepts used Crest, Oral-B, and Fixodent oral care products, including plastic toothbrushes, toothbrush head refills, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, and floss picks. To participate, simply request a free shipping label, gather your used oral care waste in a box, seal it up, and attach the shipping label.
However, it is important to note that electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and their parts (except refill brush heads) are not accepted for recycling through this program.
If you wish to recycle electric toothbrush heads, you can explore the following options:
- Contact your local council: Some local councils offer electrical recycling services, either through your regular waste collection or by special arrangement. Check with your council or visit their website to find out if they accept electric toothbrush heads for recycling.
- Find a specialist recycling plant: Specialist recycling plants can break down electric toothbrushes and recover valuable materials for reuse. Use an online recycling locator or enter your postcode to find the nearest electrical recycling collection or drop-off point.
- Return to the manufacturer: Some manufacturers, like Oral-B, offer recycling programs for their products. While their current program does not accept electric toothbrushes, they have partnered with Terracycle, a company that specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. You can explore this option by visiting the Terracycle website and checking if they accept electric toothbrush heads.
- Consider third-party recycling companies: Companies like LiveCoco and Brushd specifically take back toothbrush heads for recycling. You can contact them to inquire about recycling your electric toothbrush heads.
- Detach the bristles: If you have a bamboo or wooden-handled toothbrush, you can detach the nylon bristles and recycle the handle with your woody garden waste.
Remember to properly dispose of any batteries separately if you are unable to recycle the electric toothbrush heads through the options provided.
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Electric toothbrush maintenance
To ensure your electric toothbrush is always in good condition, it is important to maintain and clean it properly. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Rinsing and Soaking
Rinse your electric toothbrush with tap water before and after each use to remove toothpaste and debris. Soaking your electric toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash once a week can give it a deep clean. First, rinse the toothbrush under water to ensure that there is no toothpaste on it. Then, pour a small glass of mouthwash and leave the toothbrush to soak for 2 minutes. Finally, rinse the toothbrush well after soaking.
Brushing Technique
Avoid over-brushing and applying too much pressure on the brush. This can cause the bristles to wear out more quickly and be less effective when cleaning.
Storing
- Store your toothbrush in an upright position to let it air-dry.
- Keep it uncovered at home. Storing it in a covered toothbrush holder can promote bacteria growth due to the moist environment.
- When travelling, put your toothbrush in a travel toothbrush holder to prevent it from picking up dust, dirt, and bacteria.
- Ensure your toothbrush is completely dry before covering it up.
- Store your electric toothbrush head in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to prevent bacteria from growing on it. Change the solution daily.
- If you share a bathroom, keep each electric toothbrush in separate storage containers to avoid the transfer of bacteria between them.
- Store your toothbrushes away from the toilet to prevent contamination.
Replacing
Replace your electric toothbrush head every three months, or when the blue Indicator® bristles fade halfway to white, or earlier if you notice fraying.
Recycling
When it's time to throw away your electric toothbrush, consider recycling it. Oral-B has a free national recycling program where you can send in used Crest, Oral-B, and Fixodent oral care products, including electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, toothbrush heads, and other dental-related items.
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Disassembling the toothbrush
Disassembling an Oral-B electric toothbrush can be done for various reasons, such as replacing the battery or repairing internal components. While the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the model, here is a general guide on how to disassemble an Oral-B electric toothbrush:
Step 1: Using a small adjustable spanner, place it around the flat white plastic part of the toothbrush. Twist the spanner anticlockwise until the white plastic portion disengages from the main body of the toothbrush. This will allow you to separate the two main components of the toothbrush.
Step 2: Set aside the main body and carefully remove the inner mechanism. Be mindful of the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil) to ensure you don't lose it.
Step 3: Examine the inner mechanism. On one side, you will find the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which controls the charging and drives the motor. De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and the cell (battery) in place. Two tabs connect to the motor, while the other two go to the positive and negative ends of the cell.
Step 4: Bend the negative tab on the cell upwards to create some clearance. This will allow you to remove the PCB by simply lifting it away from the rest of the mechanism.
Step 5: With the PCB removed, carefully slide out the cell (battery) from the body of the mechanism. At this point, you can decide whether to replace the cell with a new one or perform other repairs.
Remember that disassembling your toothbrush may void any remaining warranty, so proceed with caution and ensure you have the necessary tools and skills before attempting any repairs or modifications.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you replace the brush head of your Oral-B electric toothbrush every three months, or when the blue Indicator® bristles fade halfway to white, or earlier if you notice fraying.
It is recommended that you do not throw your Oral-B electric toothbrush in the trash. This is because the batteries and electronic components can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. You can recycle your Oral-B electric toothbrush by sending it to Oral-B, who will recycle it and turn it into useful items like park benches and clothes. You can also bring your toothbrush to an approved recycling or disposal location in accordance with local regulations.
To recycle your Oral-B electric toothbrush, first, disassemble the toothbrush to separate the electronic components from the plastic body. Then, find your nearest recycling center that accepts electronic waste. You can use online resources like Recycle More or Earth911 to find the nearest recycling facility that accepts electronic toothbrushes.
To clean your Oral-B electric toothbrush, rinse it every day with tap water after use to remove toothpaste and debris. You should also store your toothbrush in an upright position to let it air-dry. When traveling, put your toothbrush in a travel toothbrush holder to prevent it from picking up dust, dirt, and bacteria.
