Tower Dental has partnered with Colgate and TerraCycle to help reduce the amount of oral product waste disposed to landfill each year.
“We are really excited to be a part of this great initiative,” said Practice Manager Karen Dillon.
“Tower Dental is a public drop off point for oral care waste.
“A collection box has been placed in a prominent place in our waiting area.
“We encourage patients and locals, who want to help reduce the volume of waste, to bring in their used manual toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrush and toothpaste cartons and packaging, floss containers and mouth rinse bottles.”
Pieces of floss are not recyclable through the program. Electric toothbrush heads can now be recycled.
In Australia, over 30 million toothbrushes are used and disposed of each year, leading to approximately 1000 tonnes of landfill annually.
Made from a combination of plastic and rubber for the hand piece, nylon bristles, and using plastic and cardboard packaging, these non-biodegradable items, when placed in the bin, remain in landfill indefinitely.
“While we might think a single toothbrush doesn’t make a big impact on the environment, as with everything to do with the environment, every bit counts”.
The recycled oral health care products collected at Tower Dental are sent to TerraCycle, separated by composition, shredded and melted into hard plastic which is remoulded to make new recycled products such as picnic tables, outdoor benches and playground equipment.
That’s something to smile about!
Tower Dental is located at 1 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn. For appointments or more information, call 9817 7144 or visit www.towerdental.com.au
