According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that may otherwise be thrown away as trash. Plastic can take years to break down, so when not disposed of properly, plastic in landfills can make its way to local ecosystems and waterways—causing significant damage to the wildlife and the environment.
According to the EPA, landfills can receive over 27 million tons of plastic every year—taking up valuable space when the plastic can be recycled. Recycling plastic helps conserve natural resources, reduces toxic emissions into the atmosphere, and creates jobs.
When it comes to oral care products, around 20 billion toothpaste tubes are estimated to end up in landfills every year—that's a lot of waste. While some recyclable toothpaste tubes exist, not all dental care products are easily recyclable.
Traditional toothpaste tubes are made from mixed plastics and aluminum layers, making them difficult for many recycling facilities to process. While you can't include many oral care products in your curbside recycling, specialized recycling plants like those used in TerraCycle's mail-back Oral Care Recycling Program exist to sort, clean, and process dental hygiene products. Here is how toothpaste container recycling typically happens:
However, you can also find eco-friendly toothpaste products that can create zero waste.
Once you've confirmed a recycling method that accepts the materials in your toothpaste tube, prepare it for recycling with these simple steps:
The good news for the environment is that more eco-friendly toothpaste options are available than ever. In addition to recyclable packaging, you can reduce your carbon footprint with sustainable alternatives like toothpaste tablets. Talk to a dental professional to see if there's an eco-friendly option that fits your oral health goals.
Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine
ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine