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Grøn Dyst 2016

202 59 Hygienic Toothbrush L. K. Aagaard, A. E. S. Berthelsen, J. M. Schuler, W. A. L. Michael and S. S. Martinussen DTU Diploma, Process & Innovation, Technical University of Denmark INTRODUCTION In 2016 The World Economic Forum published a report in which worrying facts were written. “Plastic production has surged over the past 50 years, from 15 million tonnes in 1964 to 311 million tonnes in 2014, and is expected to double again over the next 20 years” (World Economic Forum, 2016). Together we all contribute to the increasing amount of plastic in the world, since we are in contact with plastic products constantly through bottles, bags, containers etc. Every day, people all over the world brush their teeth with toothbrushes made of non-recyclable plastics. In Denmark alone we change our toothbrush 2.27 times per year in average, which corresponds to approximately 12.9 million toothbrushes or 254 tonnes of non-recyclable plastics yearly. We provide a solution with a toothbrush that has the potential to reduce the total amount of toothbrushes used per year by 50%, whilst not forcing the user to change their habits remarkably. THEORY The idea that we suggest is not a complete answer to the problem we try to overcome. However, with our product there comes a message which can inform people about an environmental challenge that we strongly believe most people do not think about in their everyday lives. Plastic is one of the major causes that threatens the environment, and the plastic from toothbrushes contributes to this. There are people who make a difference to help with a greener environment by making decisions to cut down on different things, but even the greenest person has to brush their teeth. Our product helps them stay in that green perspective, when they do something that is a normal all over the world. METHODS We are going to achieve our goal, by making a manual toothbrush with a more durable design, and material choice, so that you’ll only need to swap it once a year. The brush will be injection moulded into a single piece of solid natural rubber. This includes the bristles, which are going to be pointy enough go get in between your teeth, and still achieve the same cleaning effect, just as your conventional toothbrush. The main reason why people change their toothbrush is because it looks worn out and dirty. Our bristles will not be deformed during use, like todays nylonbristles, due to the elastic properties of natural rubber. Furthermore, our toothbrush will not be as likely to collect and store bacteria and food bits, especially because there are no drilled holes where the bristles are attached. This is due to the brilliant single material design. CONCLUSION Our product has the potential to cut down on the global use of manual and electric toothbrushes, and thereby cut down the use of plastics that end up in landfills, nature, and the daily trash. We wish to show that such a product is possible to create, and during the time in our three week course, we will build and test several versions of this product. These prototypes and tests, will set the stage for further development of our idea, and guide us on the road to environmental success. Reference World Economic Forum. (2016). The New Plastics Economy. World Economic Forum. WASTE & RECYCLING POSTER IDEA BACHELOR LEVEL COURSE / PROJECT


Grøn Dyst 2016
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