December 18, 2019
At just 11 years old, Mount Tamborine local Ned Heaton has turned his passion for environmental sustainability into a unique business venture.
Earlier this year, Ned started a movement called The Turtle Tribe, following a family trip to Moreton Island in Queensland. The beaches were covered in plastic waste and as a result, Ned decided to collect the waste to prevent pollution in the ocean.
Instead of placing the waste in a nearby bin, Ned took matters into his own hands. He decided to create a biodegradable bamboo alternative to plastic toothbrushes and has also developed other plastic-free bathroom products. To encourage people to use a more environmentally friendly toothbrush, he has offered everyone a chance to try his toothbrushes for free via his website.
Ned Heaton is a young entrepreneur who is also the captain of St Bernard State School in Mount Tamborine. Ned recently won the International Changemaker of the Year award at London in May, for his efforts to reduce ocean pollution. Ironically, he was unable to attend the awards night as he was visiting the factories in China which manufacture his toothbrush designs.
He has pledged to give away 1 million biodegradable toothbrushes to motivate people to convert from plastic toothbrushes. In addition, 10% of all of profits go the charity Ocean Crusaders to help prevent pollution in our oceans.
It is estimated that over 3 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year. As a result, most of them end up either in landfill or polluting our waterways. Plastic toothbrushes are made from harmful chemicals such as rubber and oil. Therefore, they are toxic to our environment when not in proper care.
Ned chose to develop bamboo toothbrushes as they are biodegradable and can be easily recycled or reused for other purposes. If accidently thrown away, biodegradable toothbrushes pose no threat to the environment as they naturally break down over time.
They are also less expensive than other dental toothbrushes and are easily accessible online or instore.
Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it organically kills microorganisms or stops its growth. Hence, cutting boards and kitchen utensils are often made from wood or bamboo to reduce the risk of bacteria spreading. Unlike plastic, Bamboo provides a long-lasting protection as properties inside the bamboo kill bacteria as it penetrates its surface.
Due to its antimicrobial composition, bamboo does not need to be fertilised or sprayed with pesticides for growth. As a result, this provides a natural, organic material ready for production. In addition, bamboo plants require little time to grow, ensuring a quick and sustainable process.
Compared to your normal electric and plastic toothbrush, bamboo brushes are very easy to handle. They do not require any electricity to operate and are perfect to use for any occasion. You can use them anywhere at any time as they have no negative impact on the environment.
If it is time for a new toothbrush and you do not want to throw it out, there are several ways you may wish to reuse it. These include:
Unlike plastic toothbrushes, bamboo brushes are biodegradable. Depending on how you dispose of your brush, it can take a long time for it to degrade naturally. Bamboo toothbrushes generally biodegrade in about:
We loved Ned’s idea and his toothbrushes are available for purchase at our practice. You can also order your free sample online on his website. If you would like to get toothbrushes for your whole family, please ask our front desk staff at your next visit. You can book an appointment online 24/7 or contact our friendly practice today.
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