World Centric introduces compostable toothbrushes line

American manufacturer of plant-based compostable products World Centric has launched a new line of compostable toothbrushes and travel cases.

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified toothbrushes and travel cases are claimed to be environmentally friendly as they have a smaller carbon footprint, owing to the use of plant-based resin called Ingeo, which requires lesser energy than petroleum-based plastic resins.

The company said that it has launched the new oral hygiene products to reduce the large  numbers of non-biodegradable plastic toothbrushes in the US, which is nearly 450 million,  that are sent to landfills nationally.

World Centric said that the new toothbrush has been designed to completely compost within three to six months when sent to commercial composting facility.

However, they will not biodegrade if simply thrown away or sent to landfill, as they need to be sent to the commercial composting facility.

The firm added that it will also provide prepaid envelopes to customers who do not have access to the facility and later send the returned product to the composting facility for biodegradation.

World Centric toothbrush soft bristles, however, are made of nylon and are not compostable.

The industry is said to be working to come up with fully compostable bristles.

The new toothbrush and case is offered in the colours of blue, green and orange, with each priced at $4.55.