Local boy gives away free eco-friendly toothbrushes to stop beach pollution

Meet the Gold Coast entrepreneur just 11 years old and giving away one million environmentally-friendly bamboo toothbrushes — from his own pocket.

ECO-WARRIOR Ned Heaton may be small, but he talks a big game to clean up beaches and dump plastic for good.

The Tamborine Mountain 11-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is, pledging to give away 1 million environmentally friendly toothbrushes to help Gold Coasters make the switch.

The Grade 5 student from St Bernard State School has launched his own online eco-shop, stocking plastic alternatives including bamboo cotton wool buds, hair brushes and metal straws.

Ned Heaton, 11, of Tamborine Mountain, on the beach with a bamboo toothbrush

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Ned said he needed to get serious to wipe out beach pollution for good, with toothbrushes a big problem.

“People replace their toothbrushes every three to four months,” he said. “Bamboo toothbrushes work just as well and it’s biodegradable. Why not use them?

“Fifty million old plastic toothbrushes are thrown out in Australia every year, it’s not a problem that’s going to go away any time soon.”

Ned Heaton, 11, of Tamborine Mountain, on the beach with a bamboo and a plastic tooth brush.

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The young entrepreneur is undergoing a business course on the Gold Coast, but has fronted some of his own money, earned from busking with his guitar, to pay for the toothbrushes he’s giving away.

While some people are grateful for the freebie, others also buy from the shop, which in turn helps to pay for more free toothbrushes.

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Ned and his family spend part of their holidays each year cleaning up rubbish on Morton Island with Queensland-based organisation Ocean Crusaders, collecting more than a tonne of waste.

“There’s two halves to it; we need to stop the flow of plastics into the ocean — that’s what I’m trying to do — and then other groups like Ocean Crusaders are working to clean up what’s already out there.”

Ned is hoping to have single-use plastic items completely removed in Queensland and is pushing for oral health brands to switch to more sustainable options.

“I’d love to go to the Government and get them to ban plastic items like toothbrushes. I hope companies like Oral B and Colgate can start making bamboo products too. It’s not that hard.”

Ned’s mum Cath and dad Shane said they were so proud of his achievements.

“He has a good heart and it really upsets him to see what’s happening to the oceans,” Mrs Heaton said. “It’s empowering to do something and we really encourage that.”

Your free eco-toothbrush can be ordered at www.theturtletribe.com.au/