Most of us are accustomed to the toothbrush being a consumable item. A few months of use, and it heads to the landfill, adding to mountains of plastic waste. This cycle seemed immutable. However, Swiss designer Julien Bernard offers a new perspective on this everyday object with the Berninox 316 brush. The core idea behind Berninox 316 is durability, not disposability. Instead of plastic, it features a handle made of 316L surgical stainless steel – the same material used in medical instruments. This steel is not only extremely durable and corrosion-resistant but also hygienic: such a brush can be washed in a dishwasher or even steam sterilized. This is a stark contrast to plastic counterparts, which wear out and lose their properties over time. The cleaning head itself, where the bristles are located, is made from recycled plastic collected from ocean coastal areas. When the bristles wear out, only this small head needs to be replaced, not the entire brush. The head attachment system was a separate engineering challenge that the Berninox team worked on. The patented clip system ensures a secure fit during brushing while allowing the head to be easily removed for replacement. This solution aims to avoid the problems users encounter with other reusable tools, such as safety razors with interchangeable blades, where the head can become loose or detach at the most inconvenient moment. Importantly, the development of Berninox 316 was conducted in collaboration with dentists. This ensures that, in addition to durability and eco-friendliness, the brush retains its primary function – effective teeth cleaning. The brand doesn't prioritize environmental care at the expense of practicality but rather integrates these aspects. Although the price of such a brush will likely be higher than that of ordinary plastic alternatives, it is aimed at those who value long-lasting items and are willing to invest in objects that will serve for years, not months. This is a step towards rethinking consumption, where even an everyday item like a toothbrush can become part of a more conscious approach to resource utilization. Berninox 316 does not require a change in brushing habits but alters what happens to the tool after its service life.
Gadgets
A Steel Toothbrush: The End of the Era of Disposable Plastic Waste
Most of us are accustomed to the toothbrush being a consumable item.
Author: Клаус Вебер · Sep 13 min

Category: Gadgets
Sources and verification
- Source: Yanko Design
Original publication ↗
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