With a stylish, clean design, Invisalign trays provide an effective way to straighten teeth without traditional metal braces. But there is a recycling problem. Made from a proprietary blend of materials including polyurethane resin, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, and 1.6-hexanediol, Invisalign trays are not accepted in standard recycling programs.
Let’s find out why Invisalign trays are difficult to recycle and explore professional recycling solutions for these and similar products.
Why Invisalign Trays Can’t Be Recycled Locally
The materials in Invisalign trays combine multiple elements to achieve durability and flexibility, but they are not compatible with existing recycling streams.
Invisalign trays fall into the composite material category. This means they are made from a variety of materials that are difficult to separate for reuse. Standard recyclers typically focus on more common plastics like PET and HDPE, which are used in items like water bottles and containers. The additives that make Invisalign strong overnight are a barrier to recycling by municipal programs.
To learn more about composite materials and recycling issues, check out our guide to recycling composite packaging.
TerraCycle has a solution for Invisalign trays.
If you want to recycle your used trays, a specialized program may be your best option, which means you can ask your dentist to participate. Invisalign has partnered with TerraCycle, a company known for recycling hard-to-process items, including oral care products. This partnership will allow dental practices to set up drop-off points for Invisalign trays and other similar items. Patients can ask their orthodontist or dentist if they participate in this program. TerraCycle Program Encourage them to participate if they haven’t already.
Alternatively, TerraCycle offers a paid option for individual consumers. Oral Care Zero Waste PouchPrepaid mailbox pouches allow you to send oral care supplies for recycling, including Invisalign trays. This is a convenient solution if your dental office does not participate in the TerraCycle program.
Encourage recycling in your dental practice
If your dentist doesn’t already participate in Invisalign’s TerraCycle program, consider it! Tell us about the environmental benefits of offering a recycling option for Invisalign trays, especially since many patients go through multiple trays during their treatment.
Other ways to reduce waste during treatment
- Appointment Integration: To avoid the environmental impact of frequent travel, we recommend consolidating checkups and taking several sets of trays with you at once if your orthodontist allows it.
- Keep old trays as a backup: Instead of throwing away trays one by one, consider keeping the last set you used as a backup in case you lose or damage your current set.
- Rethink disposable products: Ask your dentist about other ways to make your orthodontic treatment more sustainable, such as avoiding disposable plastic dental supplies.
Although Invisalign trays are not recyclable in the traditional sense, TerraCycle’s specialty program provides an option for environmentally conscious patients. The field of recycling composite materials is growing, and more solutions may emerge as demand for responsible recycling options increases. Until then, consider using TerraCycle’s services, championing TerraCycle’s presence in your dental office, and making sustainable choices throughout your Invisalign journey.
