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Frequently Asked Questions

Toothbrush Questions

What are the bristles on the toothbrush made from? Our toothbrush bristles are 100% Castor Bean Oil and USDA Certified 100% Biobased – see the USDA Certification and Testing Paperwork. This means that our bristles contain 0% fossil fuel and 0% petroleum. Our bristles are made in the European Union. The bristles are “biobased” but do not qualify as “biodegradable”. Per US Law, “biodegradable” products need to break down within 1 year. Our biobased bristles will eventually return to the soil, but the timeline for break down would depend on soil activity/ocean activity. To remove and recycle the bristles see details on our Proper Disposal page.

* Note about other companies claiming to have “biodegradable bristles”: Always ask for testing paperwork for any claim made regarding biodegradation or biobased content. Avoid bristles made from PLA (Polylactic Acid) – this is a material made from GMO corn; it also breaks down too quickly to be appropriate for repeated use in the mouth.

Given that the bristles are made from castor bean oil, is there any ricin in the bristles? No. There is no ricin. The material is extensively processed using heat and pressure. By the time we make it into toothbrush bristles, the ricin in the castor beans is completely gone.

Are Brush with Bamboo® toothbrushes vegan?
Yes all of our products are vegan: no animal testing, no animal parts. Only plant-based components are used. There are 2 Exceptions: our hairbrush has a beeswax coating, and our silk floss.

What is the compostable wrapper/bag made from?
Brush with Bamboo® eliminated the wrapper around its toothbrush in March of 2019. All toothbrushes are now packaged in a paper box only.

Are your Brush with Bamboo® toothbrushes certified or tested?
Yes, our products tested and certified by third parties. For more information, see our Lab tests and certification page.

Where are Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes made?
Our toothbrushes are a Product of the European Union and China. Our special plant-based bristles are made in the European Union. All other components are made in China. Click here to view photos of our team and operations in China. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure safety: the toothbrushes are verified chemical-free and BPA-free by U.S. testing agencies. We also have a full-time American-managed team on the ground in China ensuring worker safety, cleanliness, and good working conditions.

Given that you’re harvesting bamboo, what about panda welfare?
We use Moso bamboo to make our brushes. Pandas eat 42 species of bamboo, but Moso bamboo is not one of them. So this type of bamboo is not food for pandas, nor do pandas inhabit the area where we harvest.

What type of bamboo is used and is it sustainably grown?
The type of bamboo used for our toothbrushes is  wild-harvested Giant Moso Bamboo. Our bamboo comes from a mountain range in South China where it grows wild.  When a stalk of bamboo is cut to make toothbrushes, another bamboo stalk takes its place and grows to full length (50-75ft) in only 2 years (bamboo is a grass, not a tree).


Hairbrush Questions

Can the hairbrush be composted? Yes. The natural rubber base, bamboo handle, and bamboo pins are all-natural and will decompose in active soil (i.e. soil that has bioactivity, worms, heat, etc.).  Depending on where you live, you may also be able to compost of this product in your city’s green waste bin.

Is the bamboo used for the hairbrush also certified organic?
Currently: No. The hairbrush is being produced at a different bamboo harvesting site. We would love to certify the bamboo as organic in the future.


Silk Floss Questions

Is your silk floss vegan? 
Our silk floss is not vegan. Silk is a product produced by silkworms. This is the only home compostable option currently available for dental floss.