At Georganics, we want to do best by the environment with our products. We are built on transparency and sustainability. This means being able to reuse or recycle all packaging and products we make. Our glass jars, aluminium lids and cardboard packaging can all be widely recycled or repurposed, with products like our chewing gum coming as a refillable.
But when it came to the ethical values behind our toothbrushes, we knew we had to find a way to stay in keeping with what we stand for. We have upgraded our bamboo toothbrushes to beechwood ones, as this is a more sustainable material for us to manufacture. They are made from FSC certified wood, suitable for home compost. The wood is sourced in Switzerland. By using Beechwood every tree cut down is re-planted and excess material is used to heat up the factory.
As for the toothbrush heads which hold the bristles, you can snap the end off along the indented line at the neck of the toothbrush to separate the two parts. The handle you can add to compost to biodegrade naturally. With the heads, you can collect them up and send back to us to recycle using our Zero To Landfill scheme.
What is our Zero to Landfill Scheme
In the UK, plastic toothbrushes, bristles and empty tubes cannot be disposed of in regular recycling, and there are currently limited options in terms of recycling services for oral care products. That is why we wanted to introduce a Zero to Landfill Scheme. This scheme allows you to send back any Georganics products and components that cannot be composted or recycled at home, like used sonic and wooden toothbrush heads as well as sonic toothbrush handles. Our Zero To Landfill scheme is completely free of charge for people living in the UK.
What to recycle:
How to return:
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Collect a minimum of 5 used heads. These can be from our Beechwood Toothbrush, Tonguebrush, Interdental Brushes or Sonic Toothbrush.
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Put everything into an envelope, a used one it's fine. On it, write Free-post Georganics Oral Care Ltd. This service is free (only in the UK), so make sure you don't get charged!
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Drop it off at Post Office® or in a postbox. Once we receive them, the heads will be bulked and sent to Terracycle for recycling each component.
Which company do we work with to make our Z.T.L Scheme happen?
We are working with Terra Cycle and use their Zero Waste boxes to recycle our toothbrush heads and sonic toothbrush components. By sending your products back to us from all over the World we can fill up their Zero Waste boxes with products to be recycled. Once full, we will send this box back to Terra Cycle in the UK to be recycled.
What happens to the products when they are being recycled ?
The collected toothbrush heads and sonic toothbrush components are mechanically and hand separated into fibres (like wood and coated paper), plastics and other materials. The resulting fibres will be hydropulped to separate out coatings (like wax and plastics). The separated fibre will be recycled into new paper products, or composted if recycling is not possible. The resulting plastics will be recycled into plastic polymers. Flexible and rigid plastics undergo extrusion and pelletisation to be moulded into various recycled plastic products.
Who can participate in the Zero to Landfill Scheme?
Terra Cycle only send their recycling boxes to companies in the UK, but you can send us products from anywhere in the World. Making this recycling scheme available Worldwide for Georganics customers.
To conclude
By partnering with TerraCycle, we have created a seamless process for our customers to return used toothbrush heads and other non-compostable components, ensuring they are recycled properly. This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also promotes a circular economy, turning used materials into new, valuable products.
We invite all our customers, both in the UK and around the world, to join us in this initiative. Together, we can make a significant impact on reducing landfill waste and contribute to a healthier planet. Your participation in the Zero to Landfill Scheme is a step towards a more sustainable future, where every small action counts. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.