Eco-Friendly Orthodontics: Recycle Your Clear Aligners at Duxton Dental
At Duxton Dental, we are incredibly proud of the beautiful smiles we create for our Christchurch patients. But as modern dentistry continues to evolve, we also believe it is our responsibility to look after the environment.
Clear aligners (like Invisalign and Angel Aligners) have revolutionised adult and teen orthodontics. They are discreet, comfortable, and highly effective. However, the incredible popularity of clear aligners has created a new environmental challenge: plastic waste.
A standard orthodontic treatment can use dozens of plastic aligner trays over several months or years. Because these medical-grade plastics are too complex for standard local council recycling bins, millions of aligners unfortunately end up in landfills around the world every year.
We decided it was time to change that.
Introducing Our Clear Aligner Recycling Programme
Duxton Dental is thrilled to announce that we are now offering a dedicated recycling solution for all clear dental aligners right here in our Riccarton clinic!
In partnership with Angel Aligner and TerraCycle®, we have installed a dedicated Zero Waste Box™ at our practice. This means you now have a concrete, sustainable, and entirely free way to dispose of your aligners at the end of their lifecycle.
Who is TerraCycle?
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions. They specialise in "recycling the unrecyclable"—developing practical solutions for complex waste streams that local municipalities simply cannot process. By funding the cost of transport, sorting, and processing through a dedicated logistics chain, this partnership allows us to divert significant dental waste away from landfills and incinerators.
How the Recycling Process Works
You might be wondering: what actually happens to my old aligners once I drop them off? It is a fascinating process:
- Collection: You drop your used aligners into the Zero Waste Box™ at our clinic.
- Shipping: Once the box is full (holding roughly 2,500 aligners!), we ship it directly to TerraCycle using a carbon-neutral method.
- Sorting & Shredding: TerraCycle weighs, sorts, and separates the plastics. The waste is then thoroughly shredded.
- Pelletising: The shredded plastic is extruded and melted down into raw plastic pellets.
- Upcycling: These recycled pellets are sold to manufacturing companies who remould them to create brand-new, durable everyday items—such as outdoor garden furniture and children's playground equipment!
What You Can (and Cannot) Recycle With Us
We want to make this as easy as possible for our patients. You do not need to rigorously clean your aligners before dropping them off (though we do ask that you remove any excess liquid and ensure they are dry).
✅ YES – We DO Accept:
- Clear plastic dental aligners: We accept all brands, not just Angel Aligners. If you are an Invisalign patient, you can recycle yours here too!
- Aligner pouches: The plastic bags your aligners are distributed in.
- Aligner cases: The rigid plastic storage cases.
❌ NO – We CANNOT Accept:
- Traditional orthodontic bands (metal or plastic).
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes.
- Cardboard packaging (please continue to put these in your yellow council recycling bin at home).
- General hazardous dental waste.
How to Participate
Ready to help us drive change in the orthodontics industry?
Next time you visit Duxton Dental for a check-up or to collect your next set of aligners, simply bring your old aligners, empty pouches, and old cases with you. Drop them into the Zero Waste Box™ located at our reception desk—it’s that easy!
Together, we can ensure that your journey to a straighter smile is also a step toward a greener planet. If you have any questions about our new recycling programme, please don't hesitate to ask our friendly front desk team at your next appointment.
