Dental recycling and eco-friendly programs

What we choose to keep says as much about us as what we throw away. In a profession that requires precision and hygiene at all times, its no wonder the volume of waste generated each day is significant. And its hard to ignore. Thats why the dental industry must make a conscious effort to become more sustainable through effective recycling and practical, eco-friendly practices and programs.

At One Dental, your premier provider of high-quality dental products and instruments, we’re doing our part to ensure the dental industry gravitates toward a greener future. We are actively engaged in various environmentally friendly initiatives that support longevity and social responsibility, including participation in the NSW Government’s 2023 Bin Trim. This program was designed to help small and medium businesses improve their recycling practices. Throughout this, we conducted a detailed waste audit to identify areas of improvement and have since implemented new strategies to reduce landfill waste across our operations.

“Dentistry as a profession should integrate sustainable development goals into daily practice and support a shift to a green economy in the pursuit of healthy lives and well-being for all through all stages of life.” - Australian Dental Association, How To Guide Sustainable Dentistry

Metal instrument recycling program

Metals are valuable, highly recyclable materials, and their strength and durability make them ideal for dental tools. But once instruments become blunt or damaged, they’re no longer suitable for clinical use. In the past, that often meant they were thrown out. Recycling these tools not only conserves raw materials and energy, but it also helps reduce landfills and the environmental damage tied to metal extraction and waste.

One Dental offers a simple metal recycling initiative for dental professionals: trade in 10 used instruments and receive a new one for free. The program, in collaboration with Sims Metal, supports responsible disposal and ongoing access to quality tools, making it easier to maintain clinical standards while reducing environmental impact.

If you’d like to take part or learn more, just email us at sales@onedental.com.au. We’ll guide you through how to package and send your items, and once they arrive, we’ll send your no-cost replacement straight out.

Refurbishing dental models and manikins

Dentistry is an art, and learning it relies on repeated simulation using manikins and models. These training tools are made from materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane and various resins—chosen for their durability and ability to replicate human anatomy. But their environmental footprint is significant. PVC, for example, resists degradation and can remain in landfill for decades, even centuries. The production and disposal of these materials also contribute heavily to pollution and resource depletion.

We’re mindful of the waste created by simulation tools and are always looking for better ways to manage it. Our refurbishment program gives used models and manikins a second life by reducing what ends up in landfill and making smarter use of existing resources. Here’s how it works:

• We evaluate and assess used manikins and models to determine their suitability for refurbishment.
• Each unit is carefully disassembled, and components are thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris or contaminants.
• Damaged or worn parts are repaired or replaced with durable components to ensure the refurbished unit meets our stringent quality standards.
• The units are reassembled and subjected to rigorous testing to ensure effective functioning and performance, and safety for training purposes.

When educators and students choose refurbished products, they’re supporting a more sustainable future for the industry without sacrificing the quality of their training. It’s a practical, affordable option that delivers the same functionality, without the environmental cost.

Simulation training kits designed for reuse

As mentioned, dental simulation is essential for training the next generation of professionals, and it involves more than just models and manikins. Historically, many instruments within a simulation kit weren’t designed for reuse. Some also included short-lifespan components that were discarded after minimal practice, quietly adding to the industry’s environmental footprint.

One Dental offers modular kits designed for longevity. Instead of replacing the entire unit when one part or item wears out, components can be swapped, repaired or refurbished to reduce waste and even lower costs over time for institutions and individual students.

We want students to adopt a more sustainable approach to clinical practice, and that begins in the early years. Our focus on sustainability, especially in training items like course kits, helps encourage a habit of treating equipment as something to look after, not throw away. That shift in mindset is just as important as the technical skills they’re acquiring.

Green partnerships that are making a difference

Like healthcare, the dental industry contributes significantly to environmental challenges through energy use, waste and resource consumption. Addressing this takes more than one group raising the alarm or making changes. It requires partnerships and collaborative efforts that bring together dental professionals, suppliers and environmental organisations to share expertise and implement practices that make a real difference.

Dental settings produce a wide range of waste, from metals and plastics to potentially hazardous materials. Working with experienced recycling partners ensures this waste is handled safely and kept out of landfill, which helps to conserve resources and limit environmental harm. For example, our partnership with Sims Metal, a global leader in metal recycling, allows us to recycle used dental instruments and materials, regardless of brand, in line with strict environmental standards. Their processes recover valuable metals while minimising emissions to support our goal of responsible, closed-loop manufacturing.

Our Founder, Joanne Stanbury, also served on the Australian Dental Association’s Sustainable Dentistry Working Party for nearly a year. During this time, she contributed to the development of the ADA’s How-To Guide for Sustainable Dentistry—a member resource focused on helping dental practices reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, evidence-based strategies.

These partnerships aren’t just about responsible disposal. They’re changing how the dental supply chain operates. When manufacturers, recyclers and suppliers work together from the beginning, it opens the door to smarter product design, better recovery systems and less waste at every stage. Real progress comes from building sustainability into the foundation of how the industry works, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

At One Dental, every partnership is an opportunity to lift the standard and move the industry toward a more sustainable future.

Phasing out single-use packaging

Many industries rely on single-use plastics for packaging, and dentistry is no different. While plastics offer convenience and sterility, they’re typically discarded straight away, adding to landfill and contributing to broader environmental damage. Over time, these plastics break down into microplastics, which have been found in air, water, food and even human tissue.

We recognise that plastics, while practical, carry a significant ecological risk, and One Dental is committed to phasing out items like plastic bags in vending and packaging operations to help reduce microplastic waste in clinics and educational settings.

Our transition to sustainable packaging alternatives not only minimises environmental impact, it also reinforces ethical purchasing decisions among dental professionals, educators and students in our community.

Dental supply experts pioneering sustainability

To adapt a familiar saying, “The best time to build something sustainable was years ago. The next best time is now.” At One Dental, we’ve been working toward a greener future for some time, but we know the work is ongoing. If environmental impact hasn’t been part of your thinking in dental practice or education yet, now is a good time to start. Small, practical changes can make a big difference.

To learn more about our commitment to sustainability in dentistry or to get involved in our recycling programs, contact a friendly member of our team. For all your dental supply needs, browse our extensive range of products online now.