Repurposing Your Bamboo Toothbrush … in the Garden

According to the dictionary, to repurpose something is to change it slightly in order to make it suitable for a new purpose. And that is exactly what it is. Of course.
According to us, it also is one of the best way to reduce waste. Only actually reducing -as in: buying less or at least less non-sustainable products- can top it.

And it really is quite satisfying if the two come together. Repurposing a plastic-free toothbrush that already came minimally packaged and will be composted and disappear at the end of its second life.
Or an empty toilet paper roll.
Even more satisfying if that second live involves growing your own vegetables, don’t you think?

This planting season, why not reconsider your routine?

Last year, we shared a tip about using egg cartons to (have kids) space seeds evenly. When the time for planting comes, simply rip up the carton and plant the seedling container and all. No breaking tangled-up roots, and the card will go down and help loosen up soil in the process, after first having protected your tiny plant’s roots when still at their most vulnerable stage.

You don’t eat eggs?
Or you do eat eggs, but only have the one carton you always refill?
Here’s a tip for you!

(And all of you who do have egg cartons may still use it too.)

Save up your empty toilet paper rolls.
Cut in halves, they make neat little plant pots. You can easily fold the bottom closed, like a real pot, by making four incisions, from the bottom side to about halfway up.
Or, you can leave it entirely open, just using it as a handy spacer when sowing and a handle when planting. In this case, you may want to cut the roll up in three or four bits, rather than just two.
In either case, we do advise putting them on or in a larger container that can handle soil and water.

And what about those bamboo toothbrushes?

They make excellent plant markers!

After having cleaned your teeth for three months, your toothbrush may live on to help you identify your food (or flowers, of course, should you want to remember their names) before being added to the compost that will help other things grow. Just how lovely is that?