Unscrupulous Chinese Businesses Make Toothbrushes from Toxic Chemical Waste for Hotels and Guesthouses
China's state media CCTV has revealed that to cut costs, many unscrupulous businesses are using uncleaned, non-disinfected toxic chemical waste and recycled plastics to manufacture disposable toothbrushes. These materials, sourced from places like Yangzhou, Jiangsu, are merely dyed to conceal contamination. The products are mainly supplied to small hotels and guesthouses, with experts warning of serious health risks from long-term use.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 13:08
- 🔍 Collected: June 9, 2026 at 13:17 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 9, 2026 at 13:19 (2 min after Collected)
(CNA, Taipei, 9th) Many people who stay in hotels and guesthouses in China use the free disposable toothbrushes provided in their rooms, but the hygiene of these items is a serious concern. China's state-run CCTV recently disclosed that many toothbrush manufacturers, in order to cut costs, are using various types of unwashed and non-disinfected used and recycled plastics to make disposable toothbrushes.
The report stated that at a small, squalid waste recycling station in Jiangdu District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu, piles of white barrels that once contained chemical agents, old panels from home appliances, electric fan covers, and even broken roller skates were found. A significant portion of these items are specifically used as raw materials for making toothbrushes.
A worker frankly admitted that chemical barrels that had contained detergents and urea are sent directly for crushing and processing without any cleaning, despite being contaminated with various toxic residues. To cover up their dirty appearance, processing plants simply add pigments to dye them, packaging these toxic wastes as "qualified raw materials."
In addition to the waste station, a large quantity of unsealed but randomly scattered masks, non-woven fabrics, melt-blown fabrics, and scraps from protective clothing were also seen in the backyard of a private residence in Jiangdu District. The person in charge claimed that the main component of these materials is polypropylene, the same plastic used for toothbrush handles, and that recycling them into "recycled material" pellets is more profitable.
The report added that various plastic sheets, black garbage bags, plastic ropes, and other trash were also at the scene, also serving as raw materials for disposable toothbrushes.
In another "recycled material" processing plant, the raw material for producing toothbrush handles turned out to be scrap material left over from a shoe factory that makes slippers. This waste material is melted at high temperatures, condensed in a water trough, and then cut into small white plastic pellets. The owner claimed that his goods are "in short supply" on the market.
A person in charge of a toothbrush factory said that most of these low-priced recycled plastic pellets come from small workshops without proper licenses. The manufacturers also admitted that purchasing recycled materials is a matter of luck, and that poor-quality materials frequently cause quality issues.
The report also mentioned that at the Yufeng International Hotel Supplies City in Zhengzhou, Henan, most wholesalers are selling toothbrushes made from "recycled materials." These are mainly supplied to small hotels and guesthouses, and their quality is a major concern.
Quoting experts, the report stated that the health risks of disposable toothbrushes made from such "recycled materials" come not only from the raw materials themselves but also from the complex composition of repeatedly recycled plastics. New toxic and harmful substances are generated during the high-temperature melting process. Since toothbrushes come into direct contact with the mouth during use, long-term use poses multiple hidden health risks. (Edited by: Chou Hui-ying / Chen Kai-yu) 1150609
The report stated that at a small, squalid waste recycling station in Jiangdu District, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu, piles of white barrels that once contained chemical agents, old panels from home appliances, electric fan covers, and even broken roller skates were found. A significant portion of these items are specifically used as raw materials for making toothbrushes.
A worker frankly admitted that chemical barrels that had contained detergents and urea are sent directly for crushing and processing without any cleaning, despite being contaminated with various toxic residues. To cover up their dirty appearance, processing plants simply add pigments to dye them, packaging these toxic wastes as "qualified raw materials."
In addition to the waste station, a large quantity of unsealed but randomly scattered masks, non-woven fabrics, melt-blown fabrics, and scraps from protective clothing were also seen in the backyard of a private residence in Jiangdu District. The person in charge claimed that the main component of these materials is polypropylene, the same plastic used for toothbrush handles, and that recycling them into "recycled material" pellets is more profitable.
The report added that various plastic sheets, black garbage bags, plastic ropes, and other trash were also at the scene, also serving as raw materials for disposable toothbrushes.
In another "recycled material" processing plant, the raw material for producing toothbrush handles turned out to be scrap material left over from a shoe factory that makes slippers. This waste material is melted at high temperatures, condensed in a water trough, and then cut into small white plastic pellets. The owner claimed that his goods are "in short supply" on the market.
A person in charge of a toothbrush factory said that most of these low-priced recycled plastic pellets come from small workshops without proper licenses. The manufacturers also admitted that purchasing recycled materials is a matter of luck, and that poor-quality materials frequently cause quality issues.
The report also mentioned that at the Yufeng International Hotel Supplies City in Zhengzhou, Henan, most wholesalers are selling toothbrushes made from "recycled materials." These are mainly supplied to small hotels and guesthouses, and their quality is a major concern.
Quoting experts, the report stated that the health risks of disposable toothbrushes made from such "recycled materials" come not only from the raw materials themselves but also from the complex composition of repeatedly recycled plastics. New toxic and harmful substances are generated during the high-temperature melting process. Since toothbrushes come into direct contact with the mouth during use, long-term use poses multiple hidden health risks. (Edited by: Chou Hui-ying / Chen Kai-yu) 1150609
FAQ
中國不肖業者使用什麼原料製作一次性牙刷？
他們使用未經清洗、消毒的廢舊回收塑料，包括裝過化學製劑的廢桶、家電舊面板、口罩邊角料，甚至拖鞋的邊角廢料。
這些有毒的牙刷原料來自哪裡？
報導指出，原料主要來自江蘇省揚州市江都區的廢品回收站及加工廠。
這些劣質牙刷最終流向何處？
這些牙刷主要供應給中國的小型飯店與民宿。
加工廠如何處理這些廢料？
加工廠通常不作任何清洗，直接將廢料粉碎，並加入顏料染色來掩蓋外觀的髒亂，包裝成「合格原料」。
使用這些回收料製成的牙刷有什麼健康風險？
專家表示，原料本身含有毒殘留物，且反覆回收的塑膠成分複雜，高溫加工會生成新的有害物質。牙刷直接接觸口腔，長期使用存在多重健康隱患。