Angelalign Technology Inc. (Angel Aligner) has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle to launch the Angel Aligner Recycling Program across Australia and New Zealand—giving orthodontic and dental practices a practical solution to recycle used clear aligners that cannot go into kerbside recycling.
Clear aligners are typically made from multi-layered plastics such as polyester, polyurethane and polypropylene, which are difficult to separate at end-of-life. As a result of the complex composition, used aligners are commonly disposed of in landfills or incinerated.
As clear aligner treatment gains global adoption, the volume of plastic waste generated by the orthodontic industry continues to rise. According to industry research published in 2024, an estimated 728 million plastic models and aligners were being produced for more than 14 million patients. The Angel Aligner Recycling Program directly addresses this challenge by offering a dedicated solution for aligner waste in Australia and New Zealand.
The Angel Aligner Recycling Program uses TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box™ recycling solution to help orthodontic and dental practices collect used clear aligners. Practices order a Zero Waste Box through Angel Aligner and place it in a visible area of the practice where patients can return their used aligners. Once full, the box is sent back to TerraCycle, where the collected aligners are recycled into pellets that are used to manufacture new products, including outdoor furniture and playgrounds, ensuring the materials are not sent to landfills or incineration.
The Angel Aligner partnership with TerraCycle will deliver measurable environmental benefits by diverting aligner waste from landfill, while enabling practices to support ESG objectives, enhance patient engagement and strengthen their competitive positioning.
“As clear aligner treatment continues to grow across Australia and New Zealand, so does our responsibility to address its environmental footprint. We believe sustainability should be built into modern orthodontics, not treated as an afterthought,” APAC general manager Colin Matheson said.
“Through this partnership with TerraCycle, we are giving practices and patients a practical way to recycle aligners, while enabling them to take immediate and measurable action.”
“At TerraCycle, our focus is on creating real-world recycling solutions for complex waste streams,” added TerraCycle APAC general manager Annika Greve.
“Dental aligners are made from complex, multi-layered plastics that can’t be recycled through kerbside recycling. This program gives dental and orthodontic practices a simple and effective way to ensure aligner materials are not wasted and instead used to make new products.”
