Household
Toothbrushes
toothbrush, manual toothbrush, electric toothbrush head, plastic toothbrush
Can you recycle?
Rarely
Rarely — toothbrushes can't go in curbside recycling. A few specialty programs accept them; otherwise they go in general waste.
How to prepare
1. Keep toothbrushes out of your curbside recycling — they're too small and mixed to sort. 2. Collect them for a specialty oral-care recycling program if one is available. 3. Mail them in or drop them at a participating store. 4. Otherwise, place them in general waste.
Common mistakes
Putting toothbrushes in curbside recycling, where they fall through the sorting machinery. Recycling electric toothbrush heads with the handle. Buying disposable brushes when a head-only or bamboo option lasts longer.
What happens after you recycle it?
Through specialty programs, toothbrushes are shredded and the plastic is reprocessed into outdoor furniture, plant pots, and other durable products.
Drop-off guidance
Some oral-care brands run mail-back and store drop-off programs (such as TerraCycle) that accept toothbrushes and other dental waste. Where none operate, toothbrushes belong in general waste.
FAQs
Can I recycle toothbrushes?
Not in curbside recycling. Only specialty oral-care programs accept them; otherwise they go in general waste.
Where can I recycle toothbrushes near me?
Use the lookup above to check for any oral-care mail-back or store drop-off programs near you.
Is it free to recycle toothbrushes?
Specialty drop-off programs are usually free, though mail-back may need a printed label.
Can I get paid to recycle toothbrushes?
No. There's no payment for toothbrushes, but specialty programs recycle them for free.
