If you’ve ever searched for a “compostable toothbrush,” you’ve probably noticed a problem: the options look eco-friendly, but the details don’t quite add up.
At Nada, we get this question all the time — “Why don’t you just make a compostable brush head?”
The truth is: we would love to. But there’s one major obstacle standing in the way.
And it’s hiding in plain sight.
The Real Issue: Bristles. Always the bristles.
A toothbrush seems simple — a handle + bristles. But when it comes to compostability, the bristles are the deal-breaker.
Here’s why:
1. The only fully compostable bristles on the market are… boar hair.
Yes — actual animal hair.
While technically compostable, they’re:
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Not vegan
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Not cruelty-free
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Not something most people want in their mouths
So even though boar hair composts, it’s not a realistic solution for a daily-use hygiene product. Can you imagine if the billions of toothbrushes being used around the world started using boars hair bristles? It would not be pretty.
2. “Natural” bristles made from castor bean oil aren’t truly natural.
Some brands promote castor-bean-based bristles as a plant-based alternative, often calling them ”natural,” ”compostable” or “bio-based.” These terms are misleading.
Castor bristles are chemically processed so heavily that they become Nylon 11 — a type of plastic.
They start with a plant, but they do not end as a compostable material. They behave exactly like any other nylon bristle.
So even if the handle is bamboo or another compostable material, the bristles are still plastic — which means the product cannot be fully composted or recycled through standard systems.
So why don’t we make bamboo brush heads?
Because the sustainability story wouldn’t be honest.
A bamboo handle with plastic bristles is still a toothbrush that:
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Leaves behind plastic waste
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Can’t be composted as a whole
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Can’t be recycled in curbside programs
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Often ends up in the landfill anyway
Bamboo feels eco-friendly, but the functional part of the brush — the part that wears down and needs replacing — still contributes microplastics and waste.
And that goes against everything we’re trying to fix.
Our approach: Reduce plastic at the source.
Instead of creating a “green-feeling” solution, we focus on a closed-loop system:
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A long-lasting aluminum handle
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Replaceable brush heads
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A take-back program that ensures the plastic heads are recycled responsibly
It drastically cuts plastic waste and keeps materials out of landfills, which is something compostable-ish brushes still fail to do.
The bigger picture: innovation is coming
Material science is advancing fast. Plant-based polymers are improving. New fiber technologies are emerging. The day a safe, effective, fully compostable bristle appears, we will be the first in line.
Until then?
We stay honest. We stay committed to real sustainability. And we design products that actually reduce waste — not just look the part.
Learn more about Nada Toothbrush here.
