A Word About Materials

Recyclable vs. non-recyclable plastics

If plastic is required for an item we sell, either because of technological limitations or safety regulations, we place a strong preference on plastics that are 100% recyclable. By this we mean it can be reprocessed and reused for the same purpose without downcycling. mPPE (modified polyphenylene ether) is an example of this type of plastic. It is often used as wire and cable insulation, and it is a significant improvement over plastics made for similar purposes because it does not contain PVCs, halogens, or flame retardant materials.

Learn more about our PlastX Promise here.

Animal fibers vs. plant fibers

In general, we prioritize vegan products over non-vegan products. While boar bristles are not vegan, they currently are the only way to mimic nylon bristles in a toothbrush and still have the toothbrush be 100% home compostable, which is our priority in this work. Therefore, the toothbrushes on our site are made with boar bristles. However, we continue to work toward a 100% vegan + 100% home-compostable toothbrush. So stay tuned! The toothbrush is the only item on our site that is not vegan. All other brushes offered on our site, whether for personal care or home upkeep, are made with various types of plant fibers.

Additionally, some toothbrushes being sold in the plastic-free space use nylon bristles made from natural castor bean oil. However, the process of turning the oil to nylon creates a product that still behaves like plastic in the environment and cannot be recycled or composted. So we have opted not to carry toothbrushes with this type of bristle.

Silicone

Silicone, in its purest form, is a natural product; however, in its human manufactured form, it takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment, and in the interim it still behaves similarly to plastic. In addition, baking dishes made from silicone have recently been found to release toxins into the air and into the food during use. For these reasons, silicone is a hard no for us.