Toothpaste Experiment #1

I spent the majority of my day looking forward to going to the grocery store to pick up my ingredients for toothpaste. I found everything I needed at the Nob Hill located near my school. 16 fl. Oz of TopCare Hydrogen Peroxide Solution cost me $1.09. The Arm & Hammer Baking Soda came in three sizes. I decided I was going to need a bunch so I bought the 4 lb. box. This cost me $3.69 cents. I already have mint extract (and several other extracts) at home, so no need to buy more.

While at the store I figured I might as well shop for shampoo ingredients as I’m sure this will be my next task to complete. I’ll tell you more about that later.

I’m of the opinion that this new lifestyle will require patience and planning. My plan of attack is as follows:

I will organize and prioritize my “interventions” based on location. As an example, I will start by replacing all the items in my bathroom with more sustainable solutions. This will include toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, cleaner (for tub, toilet, and sink) and any unnecessary medicines located in the cabinet. After revamping and replacing the materials and supplies in my bathroom I will probably move on to the bedroom. I expect the kitchen will be the last location that I overhaul as this will be the most extensive life-style change.
As I run out of items, I will replace them. I don’t want to simply tear through my home and throw out anything considered “bad”. This would just be wasteful and counterproductive. Instead, I will replace items as they wear out or are worn out.
Whenever making purchases for friends, family, or self I will now consider environmental impact. I don’t plan on buying new shoes or new clothing anytime in the near future. If you are a friend and have a birthday coming up, well, you’re kinda screwed. Sorry about that.

While shopping for toothpaste ingredients I realized that I also needed a new toothbrush. I quickly scanned the toothbrush isle and realized, “Oh jeez, I’m screwed”. So, I drove home and Googled “hippi toothbrush”. Sure enough, I found a solution:

Biodegradable Source Toothbrush Saves The World One Head At A Time
In their quest to save our dying planet, ecologically concerned people are often forced to make sacrifices. If you're compelled to join them, you can start by getting rid of that fancy superstore toothbrush and replace it with the Source Toothbrush, an environmentally friendly hygienic tool constructed from wood fiber and a special plastic made from Nebraska corn. Its replaceable heads also feature the world's first "radial bristling" for maximum plaque-busting power. Nobody says you have to have bad breath to be a tree hugging hippie. $7.95 [Source Toothbrush via UberReview]. The link is http://www.radiustoothbrush.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=16

I decided on the Source 3-pack - soft bristles for $18.77. This will give me (3) brushes made out of recycled dollar bills, recycle flax, and recycled wood. VSC can have one, I will have one, and we will have an extra for a gift or a guest. Let me know if you are interested … I also decided to save on shipping (cost, energy, waste) and ordered Replacement Heads - soft bristles at the same time. This cost an additional $6.95. My total bill was $28.71. But I shouldn’t have to buy any nasty disposable toothbrushes for a long time.

Now, some of you might be thinking, “Isn’t there a cheaper / easier / better / more eco-friendly way?” Well yes. But first, you should know that my toothbrush has a dedicated following including Sting, Cher and Whoopi Goldberg. Whoopi frackin’ Goldberg people! Second, you should know that around 240 million plastic, non-biodegradable toothbrushes enter a landfill every year. So, an alternative had to be found.

Choice #1 was a wooden-handled toothbrush with pig hair bristles (any natural bristle will do, but pig hair caught my eye). This brush can be thrown in a compost bin when you are done using it. Well I don’t yet have a compost bin, and a wooden toothbrush costs about $3.99 ea. I go through (1) brush every three months (and frankly I should be changing it out every two months). That would cost me about $16.00 a year ($26 for both me and VSC. $38 for me, VSC and a friend). Also, some wooden toothbrushes are made in China with child labor. Child labor bad. Plundering wood from China bad. Burning jet fuel from China to Oakland bad.

Choice #2 was chewing a bitter-tasting twig from the meswak tree. When you chew on the twig sap is released. This sap will freshen your teeth. Also, chewing the twig for long periods of time will strengthen your teeth. Finally, when the twig is chewed for an even longer period of time the “splinters” act like floss. You can buy 30 Miswak online for $30.00. I didn’t look long, but I did find one site with more information and cost information. If you’re curious go to http://www.alkhaircqw.com/miswak_deal.htm. I decided against this option because I work for a living and can’t show up chewing on a stick. Also, international shipping seems wasteful. If I come across meswak twigs in some hippi store I will promise to try some.

Choice #3: My Radius toothbrush is biodegradable, made in the United States and endorsed by Sting. Need I say more?

Ok. So shopping is done. I have toothpaste and I have a toothbrush en route. Once VSC returns home I will ask her for a storage container and mix together my ingredients. Then I will taste my masterpiece.