Reducing plastic purchasing and waste for dental professionals

Not everything we throw away is truly gone. Plastic is one of the most persistent pollutants, harming wildlife, contaminating ecosystems and breaking down into microplastics that infiltrate food, water and air. Plastic has its place in dentistry, and it is certainly an industry where disposable items are essential for hygiene, but as dental professionals, we all need to work harder in reducing its purchase and the amount of plastic waste we release into the environment.

At One Dental, we are an Australian-owned provider of high-quality dental supplies for training and professional practice. We are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint and helping the industry do the same to preserve the planet for future generations. Our founder, Joanne Stanbury, contributed to the ADA Sustainable Dentistry Working Party, helping develop the How To Guide – Sustainable dentistry for dental professionals. Here’s what you need to know about plastic purchasing and waste reduction.

Dental practices generate a significant amount of plastic waste every day. Gloves, syringes, suction tips, disposable cups, packaging and single-use instruments are all designed for convenience and hygiene but discarded immediately after use. The sheer volume of these items adds up quickly, making dentistry one of the more plastic-intensive healthcare sectors.

Alarmingly, most of this plastic waste ends up in landfill or the broader environment because it is rarely recycled. Most items are contaminated with biological matter and wrapped in mixed materials, which makes them hard to separate and more likely to be disposed of incorrectly. Even when practices want to recycle, infrastructure and services often cannot handle the types of plastics commonly used in dental settings.

As mentioned, plastic remains in the environment for an extraordinarily long time. It does not biodegrade but instead breaks into smaller and smaller fragments known as microplastics. These tiny particles accumulate in soil, rivers and oceans, where they damage wildlife and disrupt ecosystems. Microplastics have also been detected in our food and drinking water, which is causing serious concern about their potential impact on human health.

Something dental professionals can do to help is consider which disposable items are truly necessary for clinical care and which are simply used out of habit or convenience. Many items have become standard in practice without being critically assessed, even though their use may not improve patient outcomes or infection control. Taking the time to review each disposable and deciding whether it is essential helps ensure that plastics are used only where they genuinely serve a purpose.

Many plastics in dental practices are unnecessary and can be avoided. These include plastic wraps on surfaces that can be disinfected, surplus disposable items, and decorative plastics with no clinical use. Removing these products reduces the amount of plastic waste produced each day.

Aside from the environmental benefits, the reduction of unnecessary plastics can save a clinic money. Single-use items can cost more than you realise. Purchasing less will help ease both supply and disposal expenses and shouldn’t impact the functionality of your dental services.

Some of the most effective changes come from introducing well-designed, reusable tools into daily practice. Stainless steel impression trays, metal suction tips and washable barriers are all durable and designed for repeated use without losing their function or quality. They also tend to perform more reliably than their disposable counterparts.

While the upfront cost of reusable items is higher, they pay for themselves over time. Dental practices save by purchasing fewer replacements and reducing the amount of waste that needs to be managed. Over months and years, this can make a noticeable difference to your bottom line.

To get the best value out of reusable equipment, it is important to maintain it properly. Cleaning and sterilising each item according to the manufacturer’s instructions ensures it stays safe, compliant and effective over time. By building these steps into your existing sterilisation process, you can keep reusable tools performing at their best for years.

It is important to know which plastics from your practice can actually be recycled through local services. Many dental materials are made from mixed or contaminated plastics that most councils will not accept. Checking with your local waste authority helps you avoid wishful recycling and ensures appropriate materials handling.

Clear, labelled bins placed in convenient locations can make it easier for staff to separate waste correctly. Training your team on what belongs where will reduce mistakes and prevent recyclable materials from being contaminated. Simple visual guides near bins may also help reinforce the message.

Having the right waste contractor can make your recycling efforts far more effective. Speak with them about how your materials are handled and make sure they can confirm recyclables are not ending up in landfill. Keeping an open line of communication makes it easier to adjust and improve your process over time.

Suppliers play an important role in the choices available to your practice. Asking them about the sustainability of their products shows there is demand for better options and can encourage them to offer more environmentally responsible alternatives. Many are willing to recommend products with lower environmental impact when they know it matters to you.

You can also motivate patients to make more sustainable choices by stocking and promoting clean and green products like bamboo toothbrushes, compostable floss picks, and plastic-free oral care kits to reduce their own plastic use at home. Highlighting these options at reception or during consultations helps normalise eco-friendly dental habits.

As an industry, we can be more sustainable and less reliant on plastics, and you can lead by example. Talking openly about the steps you’re taking and why they matter will raise awareness among staff and patients. By showing that change is possible, you can inspire others to think about their own habits and social responsibility.

Are you wondering how to make your dental practice more sustainable? A good place to start is by looking at how much plastic your practice uses and finding a single, simple change you can make. Even very small steps add up over time and help build better habits.

At One Dental, we’re committed to sustainable dentistry and being part of the circular economy through metal instrument recycling, refurbishing training models and manikins, designing reusable simulation kits, reducing single-use packaging, and partnering with expert recyclers to keep valuable materials out of landfill.

To learn more about our sustainability initiatives or join our recycling programs, get in touch with our team. For all your dental supply needs, browse our extensive range of products online now.