Bamboo isn't the only sustainable toothbrush material on the market. Cornstarch-based (often called bioplastic) handles have also become popular. Here's how the two actually compare.
What Each Material Is
Bamboo is a natural, fast-growing grass. Toothbrush handles are carved or molded from solid bamboo, which is biodegradable once bristles are removed.
Cornstarch-based handles are technically a bioplastic — corn starch is processed into a plastic-like polymer (often called PLA, polylactic acid) that looks and feels similar to regular plastic but is plant-derived rather than petroleum-derived.
Biodegradability: Not Quite the Same
This is where the two materials differ the most in practice.
- Bamboo breaks down through normal composting relatively easily, since it's simply a natural wood-like material.
- Cornstarch/PLA plastics are technically biodegradable, but usually only under specific industrial composting conditions (high heat, controlled humidity) — they generally do not break down effectively in a standard backyard compost bin or in a landfill, where those conditions aren't present.
In other words, "plant-based" doesn't automatically mean "breaks down easily anywhere." Bamboo has the edge here for real-world disposal.
Feel and Durability
- Bamboo has a natural wood-like texture and rigidity. Some people prefer this tactile feel; it holds its shape well over the life of the brush.
- Cornstarch/PLA typically feels closer to regular plastic — smoother and slightly more flexible, which some people find more familiar.
Both materials are durable enough for the typical 3-month lifespan of a toothbrush handle.
Manufacturing Footprint
- Bamboo requires very little water and no pesticides to grow, and regenerates quickly from its own root system.
- Corn (the raw material for cornstarch plastics) is a resource-intensive crop in many regions, often requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and sometimes pesticides — which offsets some of the "plant-based" environmental benefit, depending on how and where it's grown.
Which One Should You Choose?
If your main goal is easy, low-effort composting at home, bamboo is generally the more practical choice — it doesn't require special industrial facilities to break down.
If you prefer a more plastic-like feel and don't mind that end-of-life disposal is more complicated, a cornstarch-based option might suit your preference — just be aware it likely needs to go through an industrial composting facility (not your backyard bin) to actually biodegrade as intended.
Our Pick
We lean toward bamboo for exactly this reason — it's a genuinely low-effort, low-impact material that doesn't require special facilities to dispose of responsibly. Our Bamboo Toothbrush has a solid, natural bamboo handle with a comfortable ergonomic grip, available in several colors.
Bottom Line
Both materials are meaningfully better than standard petroleum-based plastic, but they're not identical. Bamboo tends to be the simpler, more genuinely compostable option for most households, while cornstarch/PLA offers a more plastic-like feel at the cost of needing industrial composting to break down properly.
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