New Recycling Programme for Dental Aligners

20 November 2025 (Last updated: 20 Nov 2025 11:35)

Angelalign Technology Inc. (“Angel Aligner”), a pioneer in orthodontic solutions, has partnered with TerraCycle®, the global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste, to introduce a new recycling programme for dental aligners: the Angel Aligner Recycling Programme. This initiative marks a significant step forward in sustainability for the orthodontic industry, offering dental practices and their patients an easy and responsible method to recycle aligners, thereby contributing to the reduction of plastic waste and embracing circular economy principles. 

It is estimated that a staggering 25 million aligners end up in general waste landfills each year[1]. Indeed, aligners cannot be recycled kerbside due to their multi-layered plastic composition. In response to this, TerraCycle and Angel Aligner have launched this new programme designed to offer a more sustainable solution for the disposal of dental aligner waste. The programme leverages TerraCycle’s Zero Waste BoxTM solution which is a turnkey service for collecting, transporting and recycling hard-to-recycle waste. Through the Zero Waste Box for dental aligners, now available exclusively through Angel Aligner, practices and patients can now conveniently collect and recycle aligners, preventing them from ending up in landfills or incinerators. This initiative underscores a significant step towards reducing waste in the orthodontics industry, providing an accessible and environmentally responsible solution for managing previously difficult-to-recycle waste. 

How the Programme Works

Order: Dental practices order their Zero Waste Box directly on the Angel Aligner Recycling Programme page. Each box costs £140, taxes and shipping included. Boxes are billed each time an order is placed and can hold approximately 2,500 dental aligners.

Delivery: Boxes are delivered by the TerraCycle carrier within 10 business days from the day of invoicing.

Collection: Once the practice has received the box, they place it in a convenient place where they and their patients can drop off their aligner waste.

Shipping and Recycling: Once the box is full, the practice sends it back to TerraCycle at no additional cost using the prepaid shipping label affixed to the back of the box. The dental aligners collected by TerraCycle through this programme are sorted, shredded and then extruded into pellets to make new products including outdoor furniture, playground, and much more.

Order a new box: Before returning the full box, or when returning it, the practice can order a new box.

“Every action counts when it comes to preserving our planet,” said Fiona Edler, Marketing Manager EMEA, Angel Aligner: “We’re proud to offer a tangible way for our customers to be part of the solution and reduce plastic waste within our industry. Our partnership with TerraCycle represents a preliminary step in our ambition to inspire the widespread adoption of more sustainable practices throughout our industry, by enabling our partners and their patients to access a concrete end-of-life solution for old aligners. This is a deeply collaborative project that will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders; together, we can help drive change in the orthodontics industry.”

Julien Tremblin, General Manager, TerraCycle Europe: “At TerraCycle we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to recycle difficult-to-recycle waste to tackle those recycling industry challenges and help our planet. We are excited to partner with Angel Aligner to bring this turnkey recycling solution to the orthodontic industry. By offering an easily accessible and effective recycling solution for aligners, we are empowering orthodontic practices and patients alike to become active participants in building a more sustainable future.”

Patients are encouraged to visit their participating Angel Aligner practice today to utilise the Zero Waste Box and join in making a positive environmental impact. You can find out more about the programme and identify your local drop-off point at the following link:

.https://www.angelaligner.com/en-gb/recycling-programme/.

 

 

 

 

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