Myth Busting: All Plastic Comes from the Same Place

When it comes to oral care products—like toothbrushes, interdental brushes, flossers, and packaging—it’s easy to assume that all plastic is the same. After all, plastic is plastic…right? 

Not quite. 

The truth is that even if two plastics look and perform the same, their environmental impact can differ.  

Plastics can be made from different raw materials (feedstocks), and those choices can meaningfully change a product’s carbon footprint and its role in a circular economy.1-3 A circular economy aims to keep materials in use longer, reduce reliance on virgin resources, and minimize waste.  

Understanding where plastic comes from—and how it’s sourced—helps you make more informed, climate conscious decisions. Let’s bust this myth and explore what really matters. 

Myth: “Plastic is plastic—it all comes from the same source.” 

Reality: Plastics can come from different sources, not all plastics start in the same place 

Traditional plastics are typically made from fossil based raw materials, such as crude oil or natural gas, but there are other available feedstocks.  

Different Starting points for plastic feedstocks (raw material): 

• Fossil-based plastics, rely on virgin fossil resources and typically carry a higher carbon burden due to extraction from the earth, refining through energy-intensive processes, and polymer production processes.4,5
• Biobased plastics, derived partly or fully from renewable resources like plant oils, starches, or agricultural residues
  • However, “biobased” does not automatically mean “lower impact.” Studies show that cultivation, land use, fertilizer inputs, and processing can increase environmental impacts if not responsibly managed.6,7
• Circular plastics, made from recycled waste or residues that are reintroduced into the production cycle 

ISCC PLUS certification includes pathways for circular materials derived from mechanical or chemical recycling of plastic waste and residues.8,9 

In oral health and dentistry, experts highlight the scale of plastic use and the opportunity to reduce waste through circular material design and improved systems.10 

Why Raw Materials Matter for Climate Impact 

When evaluating a product’s environmental impact, the raw material stage is often one of the largest contributors to total greenhouse gas emissions. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measures impacts across a product’s entire life—from raw material extraction through manufacturing, transport, use, and end of life—providing a full picture of where emissions occur, with feedstock choice heavily influencing CO2 emissions.3 

Importantly, research shows that switching materials without evaluating the full life cycle can lead to unintended consequences. Reviews of LCAs comparing fossil based and biobased plastics demonstrate wide variation in results depending on feedstock source, processing methods, land use, and end of life assumptions.1,11 

Key insights from LCA research: 

• Fossil based plastics carry a high carbon burden from extraction and refining 
• Biobased plastics can reduce fossil CO₂ emissions—but only when responsibly sourced 
• Poorly managed biobased materials can increase land use, water use, and emissions 
• Recycled and circular feedstocks often reduce carbon impact by avoiding new extraction 

This is why sustainability is not about plastic vs. no plastic—it’s about which plastic, made from what, and how.  

What Is ISCC PLUS Certification—and Why It Matters 

Sustainability claims only matter if they can be verified. Because raw materials vary, traceability is important. This is where ISCC PLUS certification comes in. 

ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a globally recognized third-party certification system that verifies:8,12 

• Where raw materials come from 
• Whether they are biobased, circular, or recycled 
• That sustainability and carbon claims are credible and traceable through the entire supply chain 

For you as the consumer, this means: 

• Sustainability claims are verified—not just marketing language 
• Materials are responsibly sourced 
• Carbon reductions are based on data, not assumptions 

ISCC PLUS supports the transition from a linear economy (take–make–waste) to a circular economy, ensuring renewable and recycled feedstocks are properly tracked using methods like mass balance. 

Mass balance is a chain of custody method that allows certified alternative feedstocks (such as biobased or recycled materials) to be mixed with conventional fossil materials while still being tracked and allocated according to verified accounting rules. This approach enables gradual transitions toward more sustainable materials at scale.8,13 Because this system depends on transparent tracking, third-party certification like ISCC PLUS is essential for credibility.8,12 

What This Means for Oral Care Products 

Oral care products are used every day, so material choices have a cumulative impact. When companies: 

• choose responsibly sourced raw materials 
• use certified systems like ISCC PLUS 
• apply lifecycle assessment to material decisions 

they can reduce environmental impact while maintaining safety, hygiene, and performance.8,10 

For consumers, understanding these differences empowers smarter choices—supporting products that protect both oral health and environmental health. 

What plastic does TePe use? 

Today, TePe specialty brushes, interdental brushes, tongue cleaner, toothbrushes (except for TePe Choice™), and many other products are made from renewable mass balanced materials certified according to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certificate (ISCC PLUS). Having ISCC PLUS certified plastic products means more than just a label; it signifies a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and quality. ISCC PLUS certification provides a reliable way for TePe to showcase their dedication to a greener future. 

The Takeaway 

Myth: All plastic comes from the same place. 

Reality: Plastics can be fossil based, biobased, recycled, or circular—and raw material choice matters. 

The climate impact of oral care products depends on where materials come from, how they’re sourced, and how they’re evaluated across their life cycle. Certifications like ISCC PLUS and tools like Life Cycle Assessment help ensure sustainability claims are credible, measurable, and meaningful. 

Because when it comes to caring for your smile—and the planet—details matter.