How To Recycle Dentures

While people don't often think of it, recycling dentures is one more way to live a green lifestyle.  No matter what type of recycling or repurosing strategy you use, the fact is that people get to benefit from something that you no longer can use, even if those dentures now serve a new purpose.

Once a set of partial or complete dentures no longer fit, many consumers will want to find some way to pass those plates on to someone who can benefit in some manner.  The fact is there are several excellent ways to recycle dentures so that others can make use of them, even if you no longer can.  Some of the strategies involve passing them on for use in much the same manner as before, while other recycling ideas call for using the dentures in new ways.

• Donate your old dentures to a charity.  A number of charities around the world accept used dentures in good condition for redistribution to people who can wear them.  It is not unusual for dental associations to collect used dentures, sanitize them and in some cases even modify them for use by others.  Check with local dentists to find out what collection programs are available in your community.


• Contact local dental schools.  While you may no longer be able to use the dentures, the schools may be able to make use of them as teaching aids.  Recycling dentures in this manner allows you to help aspiring dentists develop skills that they can use to help others later on.  The schools benefit from the donations, since they do not have to pay for similar denture and teeth models as visual aids.


• Call local community theater groups.  Old dentures can be great props in a number of different theatrical presentations.  Since most community theaters operate on shoestring budgets, the dentures save them money and allow you to be a part of the entertainment. 


• Recycle the dentures for use at Halloween.  Old dentures are great for decorating the house at Halloween, for insertion into jack-o-lanterns, or in creating a fake monster to guard your front door.  You can paint or otherwise decorate them for added effect, and even use them in different frightful ways from one year to the next.


• Save for use as party favors.  Old dentures can be recycled for use in over-the-hill parties for people reaching some birthday milestone such as a 40th or 50th birthday party, serving as a hilarious reminder of things to come.  The dentures can even be painted and mounted to create an “old-goat” trophy that can be passed among friends as each one reaches another age milestone, providing everyone in your social network with a bit of fun.


• Pass the dentures on to an artist.  Many artists make use of various objects when creating different art forms.  Since many of the materials they use are items discarded by others, you can offer your old dentures for inclusion in an upcoming project, allowing a portion of your life to be immortalized in a work of art.