Key messages
- In Australia, over 30 million toothbrushes are used and thrown away each year.
- TerraCycle offers free recycling programs that help to collect and recycle items that cannot be recycled at home.
- Bamboo toothbrush handles can be thrown in the green waste bin or compost.
- Some toothpaste tubes can be thrown in the home recycling bin. Just be sure to check the instructions on the package.
In Australia, over 30 million toothbrushes are used and thrown away each year. This means we create 1000 tonnes of waste each year just from toothbrushes. These toothbrushes can take from 100 to 1000 years to break down. If your toothbrush does not end up in at the rubbish dump, it could end up in the ocean, and may even be eaten by animals in the ocean. But there are now ways to recycle your toothbrush and other dental products.
There are also other ways to be more environmentally friendly when caring for your oral health, including:
- turning off your water tap while you are brushing your teeth
- ask your dentist what changes they have made to make their dental practice more environmentally friendly.
How can I recycle my toothbrush at home?
Use a bamboo toothbrush
Toothbrushes made from biodegradable bamboo are available in supermarkets and pharmacies. The handle of a bamboo toothbrush can be throw into a green waste bin or included as part of compost. Before throwing away the handle, the bristles from the head of the toothbrush must be removed. The company that makes the toothbrush may provide instructions on how to get rid of the bristles and handle separately. If the bristles cannot be removed from the toothbrush head, break the head off from the handle and throw the head in the garbage and the handle in the compost or green waste bin.
Use a toothbrush with a replaceable head
Some manual toothbrushes have a separate head and handle. This means you only need to throw away the toothbrush head and can continue to use the same handle. Although this product may not be able to go into your recycling bin, it involves less waste.
How can I recycle toothpaste tubes at home?
Some toothpaste tubes are now able to be recycled at home.
In 2021, Colgate-Palmolive created toothpaste tubes that could be recycled and shared this technology with other companies. These tubes were the first of their kind. These toothbrush tubes can be thrown away as part of your general recycling waste.
Not all toothpaste tubes are made from this new technology so make sure to check your toothpaste tube for a recycling symbol before throwing it away. Be sure to always follow the instructions as sometimes the tube and its lid need to be thrown away separately.
How can I recycle items that cannot go in my home recycling bin?
The majority of toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers cannot be placed into your home recycling bin. But these items can be recycled through the TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Program.
TerraCycle offers free recycling programs that help to collect and recycle items that cannot be recycled at home. Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, floss containers and their packaging can be recycled through this program.
TerraCycle "drop-off" points are located at registered health clinics and businesses. Use TerraCycle's map to find a public drop-off location near you.
Other environmentally friendly actions
Leaving the tap on whilst brushing your teeth lets a lot of water go to waste. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that turning the tap off while brushing for two minutes can save approximately 16 litres of water!
After wetting your toothbrush, turn the tap off to save water for the two minutes that you brush your teeth.
Many Australian dental clinics are implementing actions and policies to create more environmentally friendly workplaces that aim to reduce waste and pollution. Some examples can include:
- reducing how much paper is used
- providing secure storage facilities for bicycles and e-bicycles
- making less frequent product orders to decrease waste
- using equipment that can be cleaned and reused rather than plastic options.
If you would like to know more about the changes your dental clinic has made to be more environmentally friendly, the staff may be able to tell you at your next appointment.
One of the best ways to limit the number of dental resources used at the dental practice is for you to keep good oral health at home. Having a healthy mouth can help to decrease the chance that you will need dental treatment other than a general check-up and professional dental clean. Do your part every day by brushing twice, cleaning between your teeth every day, and eating a diet low in added sugar. Have a dental check-up at least once per year so that any conditions such as tooth decay can be detected and treated early.