Electric toothbrush heads may be small, but they can have a big impact on the environment if not disposed of properly. In-store recycling programs typically do not accept these items, but they can be recycled responsibly through a variety of specialized recycling initiatives. We took a question from Seattle-based Earthling Jean and found out a number of options for giving your toothbrush head a second life.
The toothbrush head is made of plastic and the bristles are made of nylon. Whether it’s a traditional toothbrush or an electric brush with replaceable heads, these materials must be separated before recycling to avoid cross-contamination during processing. The program below
Oral B recycling program
- acceptable items: Refillable brush head, plastic toothbrush, toothpaste tube, mouthwash container, floss container, floss pick.
- not acceptable:Electric toothbrush body, battery toothbrush body, toothbrush handle.
- structure: Send used items to Oral-B. Your local curbside service may accept outer boxes.
- learn more
Philips Dental Recycling Scheme
- acceptable items:Electric toothbrush head, cover, flosser nozzle, floss stick, interdental brush, manual toothbrush.
- not acceptable:Toothpaste tubes, caps, toothbrush handles, batteries.
- structure: Collect the items and send them to the Philips recycling program.
- learn more
TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Program
- acceptable items: Toothpaste tube, cap, manual toothbrush, electric toothbrush head, floss container, interdental brush.
- Note: This program is also available to dental clinics, but is suspended until January 15, 2025. Join the waitlist by emailing TerraCycle.
- learn more
LiveCoco Recycling Program
- acceptable items:LiveCoco electric toothbrush head is made of recyclable thermoplastic.
- structure: Customers in some countries can send used LiveCoco items to designated centers for recycling.
- learn more
SURI Plant-Based Recycling Program
- acceptable items: SURI plant-derived toothbrush head.
- structure:
- To return used heads, please use a prepaid compostable mailer bag.
- The material is separated, sterilized, and processed into pellets or spools.
- Recycled materials are used to create the new SURI head.
- learn more
brush recycling program
- acceptable items: Brushd compatible electric toothbrush heads (Oral-B and Philips Sonicare).
- structure: Use the prepaid label to return used heads for recycling.
- learn more
To recycle your electric toothbrush head, you should take the time to choose the right program based on the brand and material used in the head. Please follow each program’s specific instructions to ensure proper recycling. By participating, you can contribute to a cleaner planet and reduce plastic waste.
