Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
Invisalign trays, with their smooth and clear design, provide an efficient solution to straighten enamel with out the necessity for conventional metallic braces. However, they arrive with a recycling problem. Made from a proprietary mix of supplies, together with polyurethane resins, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, and 1.6-hexanediol, Invisalign trays aren’t accepted by customary recycling packages.
Let’s discover why Invisalign trays could be exhausting to recycle and take a look at specialised recycling options for these and related merchandise.
Why Invisalign Trays Can’t Be Recycled Locally
The supplies in Invisalign trays mix a number of components to attain sturdiness and suppleness however aren’t suitable with conventional recycling streams.
Invisalign trays fall beneath the class of composite supplies, that means they’re made of various supplies which can be tough to separate for reuse. Standard recyclers sometimes deal with extra frequent plastics, like PET and HDPE, that are used for gadgets like water bottles and containers. The components that make Invisalign robust by means of many nights’ put on are a barrier to recycling by muncipal packages.
For a deeper dive into composite supplies and recycling challenges, try our information on composite packaging recycling.
TerraCycle has a Solution for Invisalign Trays
If you need to recycle your used trays, a specialised program could also be your best choice, and meaning you may ask your dentist to become involved. Invisalign has partnered with TerraCycle, an organization identified for recycling hard-to-process gadgets, together with oral care merchandise. Through this partnership, dental places of work can arrange assortment factors for Invisalign trays and different related gadgets. Patients can ask their orthodontists or dentists in the event that they’re a part of this TerraCycle program and encourage them to take part in the event that they’re not already concerned.
Alternatively, TerraCycle affords a paid possibility for particular person customers referred to as the Oral Care Zero Waste Pouch, a pre-paid mail-bask pouch permits you to ship in oral care gadgets for recycling, together with Invisalign trays. It’s a handy resolution in case your dental workplace isn’t taking part within the TerraCycle program.
Encourage Recycling on the Dentist’s Office
If your dentist’s workplace doesn’t but take part in Invisalign’s TerraCycle program, contemplate bringing it up! Let them know concerning the environmental advantages of providing recycling choices for Invisalign trays, particularly since many sufferers undergo a number of trays throughout remedy.
Other Ways to Reduce Waste During Treatment
- Consolidate Appointments: To keep away from the environmental affect of frequent journey, attempt to consolidate check-ups and choose up a number of units of trays directly, in case your orthodontist permits.
- Keep Old Trays as Backups: Instead of throwing out every tray, contemplate holding the final used set as a backup in case you lose or injury your present set.
- Reconsider Single-Use Products: Ask your dentist about different methods to make your orthodontic remedy extra sustainable, similar to avoiding single-use plastic dental provides.
While Invisalign trays aren’t recyclable within the conventional sense, TerraCycle’s specialised program offers an possibility for environmentally acutely aware sufferers. Recycling advanced supplies is a rising subject, and with elevated demand for accountable recycling choices, extra options could emerge. Until then, think about using TerraCycle’s companies, advocating for his or her presence in your dental workplace, and making sustainable selections all through your Invisalign journey.
