Free resource for councils and community groups
What to do with an old toothbrush
A one-page resident handout and paste-ready text for a waste A to Z entry. Toothbrushes are small and made of several materials stuck together, so most can’t go in the recycling bin, and the free recycling program that many pages still point to has closed to the public. Free to print, copy and adapt. Checked .
Download the handout (PDF, A4, one page)
Where each kind goes
General waste bin
Plastic toothbrush
General waste, not the yellow recycling bin. It’s too small for the sorting machines, and the handle, bristles and grip are different plastics fused together.
E-waste drop-off
Electric toothbrush
The handle has a battery, so it never goes in a bin: take it to an e-waste or battery drop-off point. Used brush heads go in general waste, unless you pay for a recycling service.
Compost, after one step
Bamboo toothbrush
Most bamboo toothbrushes have nylon bristles, which are plastic. The handle can go in a home compost once the bristles are out:
- Grip one tuft of bristles at the base with needle-nose pliers.
- Pull it straight out. A small metal staple usually comes out with it.
- Repeat for every tuft. Bristles and staples go in general waste.
- Put the bare handle in your home compost.
If the pack says nylon, “plant-based” or castor oil, the bristles are plastic. If it doesn’t say, ask the seller, and keep them out of the compost until you know. Full steps: how to dispose of a bamboo toothbrush.
Changed in 2025 and 2026
The free recycling program has closed
The free Colgate and TerraCycle oral care program closed to the public in August 2025. Dental clinics still registered as drop-off points can send their last boxes until 30 December 2026. After that, we know of no free national route.
The options we know of are paid: TerraCycle’s Oral Care Zero Waste Box and Banish’s BRAD collection. Current prices and sources are in our guide to recycling a toothbrush in Australia. If your council runs its own toothbrush collection, add it to your copy. Dental clinics that were drop-off points can use our patient notice.
Use it on your site or in print
Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Edit it to fit your area (bin names, your e-waste drop-off, any collection you run), and please credit The BARE Brush with a link to this page. Want an editable copy with your council’s details? Ask us and we’ll send one.
Paste-ready text for an A to Z entry
Toothbrushes
Plastic toothbrush: general waste bin. Toothbrushes are too small and made of several materials fused together, so they can't go in the recycling bin.
Electric toothbrush: the handle has a battery, so take it to an e-waste or battery drop-off point, never a bin. Used brush heads go in general waste.
Bamboo toothbrush: most have nylon bristles, which are plastic. Pull the bristles out with pliers; bristles and the small metal staples go in general waste. The bare handle can go in a home compost.
Toothbrush recycling: the free Colgate and TerraCycle program closed to the public in August 2025, and is now limited to registered dental clinics until the end of 2026. The remaining known options are paid services.
Source: The BARE Brush (CC BY 4.0).Credit link (HTML), to go with the text
What to do with an old toothbrush, <a href="https://thebarebrush.com.au/resources/old-toothbrush-handout">The BARE Brush</a>, CC BY 4.0. The BARE Brush sells toothbrushes.Made by The BARE Brush, a small Australian-owned business. We sell toothbrushes, so we have an interest; this handout doesn’t recommend any brand, ours included.