We already know that being green means different things to different generations. For Baby Boomers it means recycling. For Millennials it means sustainability.
According to the Oxford dictionary sustainability means the "avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance."
Goodwell Co. a new D2C start-up is selling toothbrushes made from bamboo with a biodegradable brush. Here's the video they are running on Facebook and Instagram...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6nJn3lyFvc&feature=youtu.be
The brushes cost $5. Consistent with the Dollar Shave Club model they are offering them on a subscription basis but you can also find them in some health food stores.
There's no doubt that bamboo grows quickly. But is a bamboo toothbrush less harmful in a landfill than a plastic one? Electric toothbrushes which provide superior results last for years and only the heads get tossed every three months. Would that actually be the greener choice?
Which is better for the environment in the long run? Will you buy a bamboo toothbrush? How about an electric one? Do you consider product longevity when you select a brand? Do you think the answers to these questions vary by age? If so, how and why?
Bednarski, P. (2020, October 22) Start-Up Proudly Sells Product To Throw Out In A Few Weeks. mediapost.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from
8 comments:
I think it is biased to talk about “being green” solely on the product basis. When comparing the “green notion” in two products, we should take all the steps involved from obtaining the raw materials to products delivering to the end consumers into consideration, which is the notion of carbon footprint. In selling these bamboo toothbrushes, there are steps like logging bamboo, transporting materials, and manufacturing that will leave carbon footprints. Therefore, it’s hard to compare without actual data of the carbon footprints in selling these two products. My guess is that if these bamboo toothbrushes will only last for a month or two, they are actually more harmful than the electric toothbrushes. However, if they can last long enough, then they will have the potential to be a less harmful substitute for the electric toothbrushes in the long run.
Personally, I wouldn’t buy a bamboo toothbrush because I prefer the convenience and functions of the electric toothbrush for now. When I’m selecting brands, especially when it involves expensive products, I do consider product longevity. I don’t think the answers to these questions vary by age because they are based on rationality. However, I think that the answers depend more on people’s attitude towards “being green”. For those who emphasize more on “being green”, they will be willing to pay for the greener products despite they might not last long.
Calculating the "TRUE COST" of products is an enormous topic. It includes the supply chain, transport costs, GHG emissions and whether the base materials are sourced in a regenerative manner. Many institutions have created benchmarks to measure all the environmental and social costs involved. SASB.org, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board is one of the most revered. It has modules to calculate the impact of material objects from almost every industry. Many consumer benchmarks such as EWG calculates the toxicity of beauty products.
Green Certifications like LEED and WELL are now huge money making businesses as they create a standardized benchmark with graduated tiers and these are marketed to be a standard "consumer's can trust" because these calculations are unfathomable for the lay person. Ideally, the government should price in taxes for carbon, resource regeneration, and social externalities such as below living wages and health costs associated with those products (think that diabetes costs the US government $327 billion per year!). Then products that are better would also be priced attractively to the market.
In regards to this bamboo toothbrush, which I have bought, many people argue that shipping it from China is also less green. Plastic lasts 1000 years, so bamboo will degrade easier, but in an anaerobic landfill, that is not always the case. The bamboo toothbrush, the metal straw and reusable water bottle basically start of an idea that we need regenerative products so we don't end up living on a massive landfill without resources. The product AND the system must innovate. Even it if seems trivial, it's actually sparking consumer demand for greener products, which will be followed with greener sourcing, transport and waste management systems. Only through trial and error, and considering possibilities can we start to innovate to a truly sustainable modern consumerism.
This ad was fun. It didn't throw sustainability jargon down the viewers throat. It was funny and made the bamboo the hero. Maybe it would spark the interest of some new consumers open to the idea of greener products. The emotional language also appeals to the F's and maybe to multiple generations. I think there may potentially be several angles at use here to motivate multiple generations interested in sustainability, animals or comedy.
T e r e s a
Perhaps it isn’t the best time to buy bamboo toothbrushes.
I say this to mention that the source from where the manufacturers buy the bamboo, might not carry out the organic process of cultivating bamboo. If I do, consider buying bamboo toothbrushes, I believe it would important that the traceability factor is just as important as it is making a profit.
If bamboo is developed in its natural environment where “a fibrous network underground” can be formed, then perhaps it might be worth purchasing a bamboo, disposable toothbrush (Carter, 2020). However, if the soil where bamboo is being nurtured, or lack thereof, isn’t a “continuous natural harvest”, then it must be cultivated using “chemical pesticides and fertilizer” to grow at an even faster pace. That of which defeats the purpose of sourcing bamboo and utilizing it as a disposable toothbrush. Bamboo is less harmful than plastic, can be upcycled, and can serve as a cleaning tool around your apartment or house, once it has been sterilized and prepared for that new assignment (Clark, 2018).
It was interesting to learn that bamboo’s tensile strength is stronger than steel by 5,000 PSI (Carter, 2020). The versatility this natural resource has is incredible, but it must thrive within its natural setting. As for purchasing a disposable bamboo toothbrush, I already am accustomed to an electric toothbrush. Having orthodontic work moves the needle for me, a bit more towards having one. The process of what it takes to upcycle a bamboo makes me think that it would be easier to just toss it. Things may be a bit different for the year 2020 but in 2019 it was noted by the author of an article titled “Three Theories for Why You Have No Time” is that “everyone is busy, burned out, swamped and overwhelmed” and it leads me to believe that some folks might not make time to upcycle their disposable bamboo toothbrush (Thompson, 2019).
I do believe one’s reason to purchase a toothbrush might vary based on age, and the need for one’s oral hygiene. As it relates to the usage or the purchase of a sustainable toothbrush, versus an electronic toothbrush, I’m sure it’ll also vary based on need, or perhaps how educated one is, on keeping their environment safe. Baby boomers, we know from previous readings, will purchase products based on their need, demand, and its functionality versus millennials that consider the brand they buy from, and its efforts on being responsible with their carbon footprint.
References:
Carter, B., East, S., Hanson, K., Bingham, R., & Gruchy, H. (2020, October 14). Truth or Trend: Is Bamboo Sustainable? Retrieved October 31, 2020, from https://www.ecoandbeyond.co/articles/is-bamboo-sustainable/
Clark, M. (2018, November 19). How To Dispose of a Bamboo Toothbrush Properly. Retrieved October 31, 2020, from https://bamwoo-bamboo.com/blogs/the-bamwoo-blog/how-to-dispose-of-biodegradable-bamboo-toothbrush
Thompson, D. (2019, December 23). Three Theories for Why You Have No Time. Retrieved October 31, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/why-you-never-have-time/603937/
Jonathan Antoshka
Personally, I’m not a fan of electric toothbrushes. I tried them out but I still prefer traditional ones. I don’t think this is about age, it’s more about personal habits. I would probably buy a bamboo toothbrush. It only cost $5 and you can buy it in many places. Although people might say electric toothbrushes are more environmentally friendly, you only need to replace the head parts every three months, however, the head part still made of plastic. I would say bamboo toothbrushes still more sustainable. I do consider the product longevity when I select a brand. But also, I consider toothbrushes as consumables so I focus more on its price and how does it affect the environment. “But someday soon I will become one with the earth again.” This came from the bamboo toothbrush ad and it’s really hit me. I would say it’s a successful ad by emphasizing its sustainability.
Zhengbiao Ji
I personally it really depends on an individuals preference. I never really used bamboo toothbrush before and don't recall seeing ads related to it. Based on the link, CEO Patrick Triato says 850 million toothbrushes land up in landfills every year which seems like a big concern, however, I do think that sustainability is important and it's high time to market the product so people know its importance.
I already buy bamboo toothbrushes and combs. I personally don’t like electronic toothbrushes. Regardless of the material of the toothbrush the user it supposed to change it every 3 months, to prevent bacteria. (OralB)
I would also like to point out that I started using bamboo toothbrushes due to a actress that I follow. This makes me think that sustainably has become very trendy.
Organization. “When to Change Your Toothbrush or Brush Head.” Oral, Oral-B.com, oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/why-oral-b/electric-toothbrushes/when-to-change-toothbrush-or-head/.
Rairismorrobel
I just have a regular cheap tooth brush in "soft". I think what you use to brush your teeth isn't nearly as important as the tooth paste and mouth wash...
When it comes to sustainability, I solely believe that cutting any type of green on earth to make a product is causing more harm than good. HOWEVER I would buy a bamboo toothbrush because I do believe although electric tooth brushes (and general tooth brushes) need to be replaced anyway, with an electronic tooth brush not only do you need to replace the actual brush- you need to replace the batteries as well. Batteries are almost the hardest thing to recycle because you need to bring them to certain drop off stations if you want to do it correctly. I think this answer varies with age because most people now in days go with what's trendy while older folks don't seem to care or be on social media, they just stick to what they know. Took me forever to convince my mom why a rice cooker was better than a regular pot on stove fire!
-Lorie
At face value, the debate about disposable toothbrushes seems to be a plastic versus bamboo debate. This debate has to be approached contextually. Climate change has emerged as one of the most serious challenges that the world faces today. While reports of it being an existential threat have been refuted as alarmist, it is clear that the future of the world is at stake if nothing is done to stop it (Piper, 2019). The younger generations are the most concerned about it because they will be the most affected. One of the ways they show this is through everyday consumer decisions, like the purchase of a toothbrush. The rationale for electric toothbrushes that only a part of it is disposed and after a few months seems a strong one. However, at a large scale this is still a lot of plastic, even after three months. These small parts of toothbrushes are still made of plastic, which often takes thousands of years to decompose. The ideal situation would be the use of the bamboo, which despite being disposable, offers a safe alternative. Single use plastics have become one of the biggest enemies in the fight for sustainability and safe environment. Straws, for instance, are used by up to 170 million Americans per day (McCarthy & Sanchez, 2019). While these toothbrushes are not exactly single use, they still are not the ideal solution.
However, products like these toothbrushes should not simply be looked at independently. The evaluation of their safety for the environment must be considered by looking at the entire product life cycle and value chain. Issues like the packaging and sales process of the electric versus bamboo toothbrushes, the supply chain in terms of manufacturing processes, the raw materials used and the types of energy and/or emissions throughout the manufacturing. Even bamboo might sometimes not be the ideal solution, given that it does not grow in some countries, meaning the transportation carbon footprint offers another problem (McCarthy & Sanchez, 2019a). Ultimately, at a larger scale, the electric plastic toothbrush, even though it is more durable offers worse prospects.
Product durability is one of the most important aspects people look at when shopping. However, in the past durability was always about value for money, with people looking at how long they could use products for before having to buy another. The understanding of value has however changed, and is no longer measured simply by the value in use, but by the effects after disposal. In the long run, given the push towards zero waste, the best alternative for the environment would be the bamboo. Further, these decisions vary by age. The younger generation has grown up learning about, experiencing and understanding the effects of climate change and the effects of waste on species and ecosystems (McCarthy & Sanchez, 2019b). This first-hand experience therefore makes younger consumers likely to consider the environment in their value evaluations.
References
McCarthy, J., & Sanchez, E. (2019, April 9). 5 Plastic Alternatives Doing More Harm Than Good — and What to Use Instead. Retrieved from Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/plastic-alternatives-doing-harm/
McCarthy, J., & Sanchez, E. (2019, March 18). Whale Found With 88 Pounds of Plastic in Stomach Shows Urgency of Zero Waste Movement. Retrieved from Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/whale-88-pounds-plastic-philippines/
Piper, K. (2019, June 28). Is climate change an “existential threat” — or just a catastrophic one? Retrieved from Vox: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/6/13/18660548/climate-change-human-civilization-existential-risk
-Xinhu Chen
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