Electric toothbrush heads may seem small, but they can have a significant impact on our environment if not disposed of properly. While traditional curbside recycling programs often do not accept these items, there are specialized recycling initiatives that can help you recycle them responsibly. In response to a question from an Earthling named Jan in Seattle, we have researched and found several options for giving your toothbrush heads a second life.
A toothbrush head is typically made of plastic, with nylon used for the bristles. Whether you have a conventional toothbrush or an electric brush with replaceable heads, it is essential to separate these materials before recycling to prevent contamination during processing. Here are some programs that can help you recycle your electric toothbrush heads responsibly:
- Oral-B Recycling Program: Accepted items include refill brush heads, plastic toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, and floss containers. Electric toothbrush bodies, battery toothbrush bodies, and toothbrush handles are not accepted. Simply send your used items to Oral-B, and local curbside services may accept outer packaging. Learn More
- Philips Dental Recycling Scheme: Accepted items include electric toothbrush heads, covers, flosser nozzles, flossing sticks, interdental brushes, and manual toothbrushes. Toothpaste tubes, caps, toothbrush handles, and batteries are not accepted. Collect your items and send them to the Philips recycling program. Learn More
- TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Program: Accepted items include toothpaste tubes, caps, manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads, floss containers, and interdental brushes. Note that this program is paused until January 15, 2025, and you can join the waitlist by emailing TerraCycle. Learn More
- LiveCoco Recycling Program: Accepted items include LiveCoco electric toothbrush heads made with recyclable thermoplastic. Customers in select countries can send their used LiveCoco items to designated centers for recycling. Learn More
- SURI Plant-Based Recycling Program: Accepted items include SURI plant-based toothbrush heads. Use prepaid compostable mailer bags to return used heads, which are then separated, sterilized, and turned into pellets or spools. The recycled materials are used to create new SURI heads. Learn More
- Brushd Recycling Program: Accepted items include Brushd-compatible electric toothbrush heads (Oral-B and Philips Sonicare). Use the prepaid label to return used heads for recycling. Learn More
Recycling electric toothbrush heads requires careful selection of the right program based on the brand and materials used in the heads. It is essential to follow the specific instructions for each program to ensure proper recycling. By participating in these initiatives, you can contribute to a cleaner planet and help reduce plastic waste.
