How to dispose of toothbrushes in Japan

As I introduced earlier in the year, the 8th of every month is Toothbrush Replacement Day. An anniversary created to remind people to replace their toothbrush every month. But what do you do with the old toothbrush - which bin should it go in?

Toothbrushes, even though they are made of plastic, are supposed to go into burnable waste in Japan. The reason is because they are not only made of plastic, but also many different materials. Such as nylon bristles and rubber grips. Thus, they cannot be separated easily for recycling. Municipalities across Japan instruct residents to toss used toothbrushes into regular household burnables, where they're incinerated at high temperatures.

As today is also "Stehaji Day", a day that encourages people to rethink under-using items, may I also suggest that you give your toothbrush a "second life" before throwing it away. Used toothbrushes are great for cleaning. Their small size and firm bristles make them perfect for cleaning grout, taps, window tracks, bicycle chains, and the tiny corners that sponges can’t reach.

Do you use your old toothbrushes for cleaning? Or have you any other suggestions of what to do with toothbrushes before they end up in burnable waste?