Orthodontic Products talks to TerraCycle CEO and Founder Tom Szaky to learn how the company helps orthodontic practices recycle hard-to-recycle waste, reduce environmental impact, and enhance patient trust.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for orthodontic practices, yet many struggle with recycling the hard-to-recycle materials they generate daily. Orthodontic Products spoke to TerraCycle CEO and Founder Tom Szaky to learn about the company’s ClinicCycle program, which offers a practical, cost-effective solution tailored to the unique waste challenges of orthodontic offices. By integrating this specialized recycling program, practiceres can enhance their environmental responsibility, strengthen patient trust, and contribute to a more circular economy.

Orthodontic Products: What makes ClinicCycle particularly relevant for orthodontic practices, and how does it address the unique waste challenges that these practices face compared to larger healthcare facilities?

Tom Szaky: Private orthodontic practices generate a significant amount of hard-to-recycle materials, including single-use plastics and disposable PPE, that aren’t typically accepted through municipal recycling options. Unlike larger healthcare facilities with dedicated waste management systems, these practices need accessible recycling solutions that fit within their existing operations. ClinicCycle provides an easy-to-use, cost-effective way to recycle these materials through specialized Zero Waste Boxes. By integrating ClinicCycle, orthodontic practices can recycle their waste, keeping it out of landfills and incinerators. 

OP: How does ClinicCycle provide a practical and cost-effective way for private practices to integrate sustainability without disrupting their daily operations?

Szaky: ClinicCycle is designed to make recycling simple and effective. Orthodontic practices can place Zero Waste Boxes in convenient locations to collect these complex materials that aren’t typically accepted through municipal recycling options. Once full, the boxes are shipped to TerraCycle using a prepaid shipping label and all compliant materials (including the box and liner) will be recycled. This turn-key solution helps practices incorporate sustainability into their daily routine without added complexity, offering an easy and practical way to keep valuable materials in circulation.

OP: Sustainability is becoming a growing priority for businesses, including orthodontic practices. How does participating in ClinicCycle not only reduce environmental impact but also serve as a value-add for patient trust and community engagement?

Szaky: More consumers are choosing businesses that align with their values, and sustainability is an important factor in their decision-making. By participating in ClinicCycle, orthodontic practices can showcase their commitment to responsible waste management and a circular economy to help build trust with patients and strengthen community engagement. Additionally, integrating ClinicCycle into staff and patient education efforts highlights the practice’s role in reducing waste and contributes to a broader movement toward sustainability.

OP: With the U.S. healthcare sector generating over 1.7 million tons of plastic waste annually, what role do private orthodontic practices play in mitigating this issue, and how scalable is ClinicCycle for practices of different sizes?

Szaky: Orthodontic practices can play an important role in keeping hard-to-recycle materials out of landfills and incinerators by integrating recycling into their operations. ClinicCycle offers an easy, flexible, ready-to-use solution that fits practices of all sizes, with Zero Waste Boxes designed to accommodate varying waste volumes. Whether a small office or a multi-location practice, ClinicCycle provides an efficient way to recycle materials that aren’t typically accepted by municipal recycling services. By participating, orthodontic teams can seamlessly incorporate sustainability into their daily routine while contributing to a more circular system for plastic waste.

OP: Beyond recycling, how does TerraCycle ensure that the materials collected from orthodontic practices are repurposed effectively?

Szaky: The materials collected through ClinicCycle are processed following TerraCycle’s rigorous recycling protocols. Once received at a TerraCycle Material Recovery Facility (MRF), shipments are scanned and sorted by material type. The waste is then cleaned and processed into raw materials, such as recycled plastics, which can be used in the manufacturing of new products like shipping pallets, storage bins, outdoor furniture, and more. TerraCycle maintains strict chain-of-custody controls throughout the recycling process, ensuring transparency and accountability. The recycled materials are used to make new products, like plastic pallets, storage totes, and other durable goods–ClinicCycle helps keep valuable resources in circulation and out of landfills and incinerators. OP

Photo courtesy of TerraCycle.