Toothbrushes are definitely a need in order to have good dental hygiene. The issue is we are consuming at an inefficient rate.
3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold each year. This is simply too many when considering that more sustainable options exist.
Roughly 9,589,041 toothbrushes are sold every day. If packaged in 7 cubic inches of packaging in theory you could fit roughly 1,501,323 toothbrushes in a semi that is 10,509,264 cubic inches.
With a thousand mile trip and a capacity of 150 gallons there will be just over 11 gallons left in the tank. Leading to the release of roughly 6 lbs. of Co2 per shipment.
Extracting oil to make the plastic for a single toothbrush handle is 0.6 gallons. 0.78 gallons to make that into a toothbrush. With 0.34 gallons for packaging.
Much of the water used is groundwater. Taking away a vital source for those who live in the area. Taking away the water that is neccesary in order for everyone to survive
In the United States alone, one billion toothbrushes are discarded each year, with nearly 50 million pounds of these toothbrushes ending up in the ocean. It takes up to 1000 years to degrade, just like any other plastic. These plastic toothbrushes may wind up in the water, destroying the ocean bodies and their inhabitants.