Consumers across Europe are increasingly eco-friendly in their purchases. Over one in three consumers report favouring reusable packaging in the previous 12 months. Even just a small claim to sustainability and recycling can boost a product's success.
That's true for eco-friendly electric toothbrushes. Concerns over materials, design, and waste have pushed several companies towards more sustainable practices. It's even launched entire brands like SURI and Bruush.
Oclean takes our environmental impact seriously. From plastic waste to wasteful packages, we think about every action we take in terms of the planet. But what does sustainability mean for oral care in Europe? And what's the best eco-friendly electric toothbrush on the market?
Let's find out.
What Makes an Electric Toothbrush Eco-Friendly?
Toothbrush brands make all sorts of promises — usually linked to your oral health. We can understand these in terms of tooth decay and gum disease. But what matters when it comes to eco-friendly electric toothbrushes?
Here's a quick overview:
· Sustainable materials – recycled plastics, bio-plastics, or durable casings.
· Minimal packaging – recycled or plastic-free boxes.
· Long battery life – fewer charges, less energy waste.
· Replaceable/recyclable heads – reduce plastic going to landfill.
· Responsible disposal – WEEE-compliant, with take-back or recycling schemes.
You've also got to think about the entire life cycle of the product. How is it made? How long will it be used? And how will it be disposed of? If a toothbrush has a sustainable footprint in its production and disposal, but only lasts a few days, it's not very sustainable overall. Real sustainability comes from all these factors.
Materials & Design
Most electric toothbrushes are made using new materials. But an increasing number of brushes incorporate recycled casing or plant-based plastics to cut down their carbon footprint. It's the simplest way to become sustainable.
Another is quality control.
Think about — the fewer toothbrushes you own, the less damage you cause. Oclean focuses on making our electric toothbrushes as hard-wearing and long-lasting as possible. We want you to buy a toothbrush that'll last for years to come. That's kind on your wallet and the environment.
Then there's packaging. It might not sound important. However, the wasted plastic and cardboard from packaging add up. Using recycled cardboard and reducing packaging can have an outsized impact on a product's environmental impact. We exclusively use sugarcane fibre and recycled paper for our toothbrush boxes.
Head Replacement & Recycling Programs
You might assume the toothbrush itself determines sustainability. That's partly true — but most waste comes from disposable heads. On average, people get through a disposable head every 3 months. Add them up, and it's 4 per year (or 40 heads over a decade).
There are two ways to tackle this:
· Recycling Programs. Some brands let you mail back or recycle their heads to cut down on waste. There are also subscription models that reduce waste and encourage timely recycling.
· Reduce Resource Use. If you can cut even a fraction of the resources from each head, this makes a massive difference overall. It saves resources from the head (and from the recycling program).
Oclean embraces both approaches.
Our brush heads and electric toothbrushes are made from sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic and plant-based plastics. Plus, like most electric toothbrushes, replacing only the brush end minimises plastic waste compared to manual brushes.
Then there's the new Oclean Easy Clean Electric Toothbrush Heads. With a slightly thinner neck, they use less material compared to our previous, higher-end options.
Energy Use & Battery Life
Battery life isn't often thought about when it comes to eco-friendly electric toothbrushes.
That's a mistake.
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most common reasons electric toothbrushes stop working. Worse: these batteries are extremely hard to replace.
Oclean exclusively uses long-life lithium batteries with fewer charge cycles. Every time you charge the battery, you degrade its ability going forward. So, the longer the battery charge lasts, the longer its lifespan.
Moreover, power efficiency is crucial. Oclean brushes all come with our patented Maglev motor. By harnessing the power of magnets, we minimise internal friction, translating as much power as possible into cleaning. Not only does that make the brush quieter, it makes each charge last longer.
Disposal & End-of-Life Considerations
Don't forget about your electric toothbrush when you throw it out. It's not out of sight, out of mind. Everything you ever throw away ends up somewhere — and it can severely harm the environment.
You should never bin batteries. These can leach into the ground, poisoning water supplies. At the same time, the plastic accumulates in landfills and won't degrade for hundreds of years (if ever).
Oclean encourages customers to dispose of devices safely. Never put our electric toothbrushes in household waste, but take them to a designated waste collection point.
Buyer's Guide: Green Options Under €60/£60
Too many consumers assume eco-friendly electric toothbrushes have to break the bank. Not so. In fact, they can even save you a little money.
Here are five options worth considering:
· Oclean Flow – At around £35–40, this slim sonic brush offers a 180-day battery life between charges, cutting energy waste and charger clutter. Oclean also highlights recyclable packaging and durable design.
· Oclean Air 2 – Another affordable model (~£45), with ultra-quiet operation and a lightweight build. It uses the same long-life Maglev motor as higher-end models, making it both efficient and durable.
· Happybrush Eco Vibe 3 – A German brand focused on sustainability, this brush (~€35) features recycled plastic casing, biodegradable packaging, and carbon-neutral shipping.
· Ecohaven Bamboo Sonic – With a bamboo casing and recyclable packaging (~£45–50), this brush reduces plastic use while still delivering sonic cleaning power.
Maxdent Bamboo Rechargeable – Priced around £40, it combines a bamboo handle with replaceable heads to minimise single-use plastic.
