The environmental impact of plastic waste from oral care products is a significant concern due to the sheer volume of disposable items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers that end up in landfills or oceans each year. Plastic toothbrushes, for example, are typically made from polypropylene and nylon, non-biodegradable materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to pollution and harming marine life. Additionally, toothpaste tubes are often composed of a mix of plastic and aluminum, rendering them difficult to recycle through conventional methods.

Recognizing the urgency to address this environmental issue, our dental office has partnered with Terracycle to offer a solution for recycling these oral care products. Terracycle is a company dedicated to recycling hard-to-recycle waste by repurposing it into new products. Patients can bring in their used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers to our office, where we collect and ship them to Terracycle for proper recycling. This initiative not only helps to divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans but also promotes environmental stewardship within our community. By offering this recycling program, we aim to reduce our ecological footprint and encourage sustainable practices among our patients, ultimately contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.