Plastic is an amazing lightweight material that allows us to contain liquids and other materials. It is also cheap and durable. For dentistry, it is an essential material. However, we are all aware of the problems that plastic poses to our health and environment. From marine pollution to the demand for fossil fuels as well as microplastics in our food chain.
It is estimated that currently only 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled. That means the rest of it is either still in use, in a landfill or ends up as pollution in our environment.
It is a monumental problem facing the world, but we can all do our bit to reduce our plastic use and recycle as much as we can.
Here at Westleigh Dental Care, here’s what we’ve been doing to reduce plastic and encourage recycling.
1. Reduction in plastic packaging for clean instruments
Previously, when dental instruments were cleaned, they would be immediately sealed in pouches that are part plastic, part paper, ready for future use. Now, we only bag the instruments if they are not being used that day and keep them in sealed containers for when they are next needed. We also recycle the paper element. Unfortunately, there is currently no facility for us to recycle the plastic element. However, we estimate that our new working practices have reduced our overall packaging by 70%.
2. Options for recycling toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and dental floss packaging
We are proud to be a part of the Philips Recycling Scheme.[ https://www.philips.co.uk/a-w/about/dental-recycling-scheme.html] You can now recycle toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads, floss containers, floss sticks and interdental brushes in the surgery.
Toothpaste tubes and other empty cosmetic containers can be recycled at Boots. [https://www.boots.com/shopping/boots-recycling-scheme/how-to-recycle-at-boots] You can earn 500 Advantage Card points when you bring 5 empty products to an instore recycling bin and spend £10 or more in-store. This isn’t limited to dental products; you can recycle make-up or toiletries as well.
3. Recycling dentures
Bring in your old dentures which we will send off to the non-profit The Japan Denture Recycle organisation. The metal element will be separated and recycled. The money raised from selling the metal is donated to UNICEF. For more information on the scheme go to
4. Beach clean
On the 1st of July, staff volunteered to take part in a beach cleaning at Hill Head Beach. As well as wanting to keep our environment looking nice, we want to do our bit to help keep plastic out of the sea and harming wildlife. If you want to organise a litter-picking event, Fareham Council will provide litter pickers and bin bags. Any litter collected is left by the council bins for them to take away.
If you would like to know more about anything discussed in this blog, please speak to Zoe or Paul.
