We all have gone to a party or a restaurant to have our favourite food only to have parts of it stuck in our teeth. You ask the server for a toothpick to get rid of the remains. They oblige, only to give you a plastic or wooden toothpick. Many restaurants still continue to use wooden and plastic toothpicks.
So, what's the harm, you ask? A toothpick is a toothpick, right? Wrong!
Plastic, as we all know, is an extremely durable material - in the wrong sense. It doesn't decompose easily and can stay in landfills for many, many years, taking up space and polluting the environment.
Even the best wooden toothpicks, though they may decompose a bit faster than plastic ones, are still made from trees which are cut down from forests. And considering the current rate of deforestation all over the world, this is anything but sustainable.
This is why we need to switch to sustainable alternatives, such as bamboo toothpicks. So, why do bamboo toothpicks turn out to be the best toothpicks for teeth in today’s times? Let's find out by looking at the sustainability benefits of using them.
Ability to Absorb CO2 and Produce O2
The biggest benefit of bamboo is that it is capable of absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the environment and releasing oxygen. Bamboo produces a whopping 35% more oxygen than trees of the same size. Moreover, scientific research has illustrated that bamboo can absorb an astonishing 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare annually. This process helps to reduce global warming as well as helps to create more oxygen for us to breathe.
So, high demand for such toothpicks would mean that a large number of bamboo plants would be grown to meet the demand. This would, in turn, lead to more CO2 absorption and oxygen production - making them a much better choice than plastic or wooden toothpicks.
Fast Growing
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant and can mature in as less as 1 to 5 years, depending upon the species. By its expansive roots, one rootstock is capable of producing multiple shoots, thus allowing for horizontal growth. This makes it an ideal choice for toothpicks, as the demand for general and medical toothpicks can be met without having to sacrifice too many trees.
Trees, on the other hand, take much longer to mature and can take decades before they are ready for harvesting. So, if we want to switch to a sustainable alternative that is quick to harvest, bamboo is the obvious choice.
Did you know that certain species of bamboo can grow as much as 3 feet in a day? If you have the time to sit and watch, you can see the plant grow right before your eyes!
Soil Protection
One might argue that all trees and plants help protect the soil by stabilizing it and providing a basis for the development of soil organisms. So what's so special about bamboo?
Bamboo trees are adept at providing protection against flash floods and soil erosion, making their environment more stable. Conversely, wood-producing trees lack the same ability to protect against threats. On top of that, bamboos thrive when planted in groups close to one another and within a limited area. On the other hand, trees have spaces between them. This leads to a more effective soil-protection ability for the bamboo tree.
Lastly, the large root network of bamboo trees planted close together is also much stronger than that of wood-producing trees. As a result, they are much better at holding the soil together and protecting it against floods and other natural disasters.
Better Hygiene
Bamboo toothpicks and other personal care products are made from bamboo fibers which have a substance called 'bamboo kun.' This bamboo kun is a natural anti-bacterial agent which helps to keep toothpicks and other products clean. This makes them much more hygienic, as they are less likely to harbour and transfer bacteria.
So, if you want to maintain good oral hygiene, it is highly recommended that you switch to bamboo toothpicks. Your teeth and your body will thank you for it!
Biodegradable
Unlike plastic, bamboo is biodegradable. This means that the toothpicks can break down naturally without causing any harm to the environment, unlike other alternatives. So, when we use toothpicks made from bamboo, we can rest assured that we are doing our part to help the environment.
While wood-based toothpicks are also biodegradable, they take longer to break down. This is because bamboo is much more porous and has more spaces between the fibres, which helps it to break down more quickly.
Conclusion
All in all, bamboo toothpicks are a fantastic sustainable alternative to plastic and wooden toothpicks that offer numerous benefits, such as the ones mentioned in this blog. Not only are they better for the environment, but they also help to keep us healthy and hygienic. So, why not make the switch today to sustainable toothpicks and do your part for the planet? The future of our earth depends on it!
If you are looking to switch to bamboo toothpicks, then do check out Beco's bamboo toothpicks. The toothpicks are 100% bamboo-based, completely organic, and chemical-free. Plus, they are strong and durable and come in a pack of 100. You won't regret making the switch! What are you waiting for?
FAQs
Are toothpicks made from bamboo biodegradable?
Yes, they are biodegradable. This means that they can break down naturally without causing any harm to the environment, unlike other alternatives. Moreover, they decompose much faster than wooden toothpicks. This makes them a great sustainable alternative.
Do toothpicks made from bamboo keep us hygienic?
Yes, they are very hygienic. This is because they contain 'bamboo kun', which is an antibacterial agent. Therefore, they are less likely to harbour and transfer bacteria than wooden or plastic toothpicks. For this reason, if you want to maintain good oral hygiene, it is highly recommended that you switch to bamboo toothpicks as soon as possible.
Are bamboo toothpicks safe to use?
Yes, they are completely safe to use. They are made from 100% bamboo-based materials and are completely organic, and chemical-free. Moreover, they are also strong and durable. So, we can use them without any worries.
How are bamboo toothpicks made, and what materials are used?
Bamboo toothpicks are made from bamboo plants. The bamboo is sliced into extremely thin rods of 2-3mm diameters. They are then dried in the sun for an extended period to remove any moisture from them. This helps to ensure that the bamboo sticks are strong and durable enough to be used as toothpicks. Subsequently, the diameter rods are cut into sections. Machines then sharpen the ends of the toothpicks to give them their shape. They are then packed in containers to be shipped.