Plastic Toothbrush
Personal Care Low Confidence
Carbon Cost Index Score
1 kgCO₂e / per unit
Per kg
50 kgCO₂e / kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| Scope 2 | 0.1 | 10% | |
| Scope 3 | 0.9 | 90% | |
| Total | 1 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene handle (injection molding, petrochemical resin) | S3 | 35% |
| Nylon bristles (PA6 or PA612 extrusion, trimming) | S3 | 25% |
| Packaging (cardboard blister, PET window, PP clamshell) | S3 | 18% |
| Assembly, quality inspection, and transport | S2 | 12% |
| TPE grip pad and rubber overmolding | S3 | 10% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- China (primary), India
- Grid Intensity
- 565 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024, China)
Material Composition Assumptions
The default reference product is a standard manual plastic toothbrush weighing approximately 20 g, composed of:
- Handle: Polypropylene (PP) injection-molded body, approximately 12-15 g. Some models include a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) overmolded grip pad (~2-3 g).
- Bristles: Nylon 6 or Nylon 612 filaments, approximately 1-2 g. Bristles are extruded, cut, and tufted into the handle head.
- Packaging: Cardboard backing with PET blister window, or PP clamshell, approximately 10-20 g. Packaging often weighs more than the toothbrush itself.
Toothbrushes are low-mass, high-volume consumer products. Global production is estimated at 3-5 billion units per year. The small unit weight means per-unit emissions are low, but per-kg emissions are relatively high due to the multi-material construction and packaging-to-product ratio.
Manufacturing Geography
Toothbrush production is concentrated in China:
- China: Produces approximately 80% of global toothbrushes. Major production hubs in Yangzhou (Jiangsu) and Guangdong.
- India: Growing domestic production for the large Indian market.
- Grid intensity (China): 565 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024).
- Rationale: Injection molding and bristle tufting are automated, moderate-energy processes. Upstream PP and nylon resin production (Scope 3) dominates the per-unit footprint.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| China (default) | 1.0 kgCO2e | Baseline |
| India | 1.1 kgCO2e | +10% |
| EU | 0.8 kgCO2e | -20% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Product PCF per ISO 14067.
- Material data: Bamboo handles (~0.5 kgCO2e, ~50% lower than PP) or recycled PP.
- Packaging reduction: Minimal cardboard or plastic-free packaging.
Methodology Notes
- CCI score of 1 kgCO2e is a conservative estimate. Lages et al. (2021) report 0.5-1.2 kgCO2e. The CCI score reflects Chinese production with coal-grid electricity and includes packaging.
- Scope breakdown: Scope 3 at 90% (0.9 kgCO2e) from PP resin, nylon, and packaging production. Scope 2 at 10% (0.1 kgCO2e) from injection molding and assembly. Scope 1 negligible.
- Confidence: Low — limited peer-reviewed LCA data for toothbrushes. Lages et al. (2021) is one of few published studies.
- Functional unit: One plastic toothbrush (~20 g), cradle to gate including packaging.
- Included: Handle molding, bristle tufting, packaging.
- Excluded: Use-phase (toothpaste, water), end-of-life (landfill).
Related Concepts
Related Categories
Sources
- Lages et al. (2021) — Environmental impact assessment of a toothbrush: A life cycle assessment approach. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 168, 105467. Reports cradle-to-gate emissions of approximately 0.5-1.2 kgCO2e per plastic toothbrush.
- EPA USEEIO (2020) — US Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Model v2.0. Sectors for plastics product manufacturing used to cross-check bottom-up estimates.
- PlasticsEurope (2014) — Eco-profiles: Polypropylene (PP) and Polyamide 6 (PA6). Reports cradle-to-gate GWP of 1.63 kgCO2e/kg for PP and 6.7 kgCO2e/kg for PA6.
- GHG Protocol (2014) — Scope 3 Calculation Guidance. Emission factors for plastic consumer goods.