Disposal and Recycling of Toothbrushes, Hair Brushes, and Combs
Toothbrushes, hair brushes, and combs are usually made from mixed materials such as plastic, nylon bristles, rubber grips, metal pins, electronics, and batteries. Because these materials are difficult to separate, most of these items do not belong in curbside recycling.
The best approach is to use products for their full useful life, donate only clean and sanitary items that a recipient explicitly accepts, and use specialty recycling or e-waste programs when available.
Toothbrushes
Item | Best option | Important notes |
Manual plastic toothbrush | Specialty oral-care recycling program, if available | Do not put it in curbside recycling unless your local program explicitly accepts it |
Bamboo toothbrush | Remove bristles and metal staples, then compost the untreated bamboo handle if locally accepted | Most bamboo toothbrush bristles are nylon and belong in the trash unless a specialty recycler accepts them |
Electric toothbrush handle | E-waste recycler or manufacturer take-back program | Internal batteries and electronics should not go in curbside recycling or household trash |
Replaceable electric brush head | Specialty oral-care recycling program, if available, otherwise trash | Do not put small mixed-material brush heads in curbside recycling |
Toothpaste tube, floss container, or plastic oral-care packaging | Check a specialty program or local rules | Acceptance varies by material and program |
TerraCycle may offer oral-care recycling programs, including brand-sponsored collection programs and paid mail-back options. These programs change over time, so check TerraCycle’s current program directory or the toothbrush manufacturer before collecting materials. Do not assume a program accepts every brand or type of oral-care item.
Electric toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes may contain rechargeable batteries, circuit boards, motors, wiring, and mixed plastics. Take the complete handle to an electronics recycler, battery collection program that accepts battery-containing devices, or a manufacturer take-back program.
Do not place electric toothbrush handles in household trash or curbside recycling. EPA states that lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should be handled through appropriate battery or electronics recycling channels because they can create fire and explosion risks if crushed or damaged in the waste stream.
Do not open, puncture, crush, or dismantle an electric toothbrush to remove an internal battery unless the manufacturer or recycler specifically instructs you to do so. If a battery is swollen, damaged, leaking, overheating, or recalled, contact the manufacturer or a household hazardous-waste facility for instructions.
Hair brushes and combs
Hair brushes and combs are often made of mixed plastic, rubber, nylon, metal, wood, and adhesive. Even when they appear to be plastic, they are usually too small or too mixed to be accepted in curbside recycling.
If they are clean and usable
Consider:
Giving them to a friend or family member.
Donating to a shelter, community-care organization, school, theater group, or mutual-aid organization only if it confirms acceptance.
Offering them through a local giveaway group.
Reusing them for pet grooming, cleaning, craft work, or household projects.
Because brushes and combs are personal-care items, many organizations will not accept used products for hygiene reasons. Always ask first.
If they are broken or worn out
Remove all hair, lint, and debris.
Separate metal pins, wire, or metal handles if a scrap-metal recycler accepts them.
Recycle a comb only if it is clearly made from one locally accepted plastic and your program accepts items of that size.
Put mixed-material brushes, rubberized handles, nylon bristles, and unidentified plastics in the trash if no specialty program accepts them.
Wooden brushes and combs
Wooden brushes and combs may look compostable, but many contain synthetic bristles, rubber cushions, glue, varnish, paint, metal pins, or coatings.
Only compost a wooden item if it is untreated, unfinished, and made entirely of natural materials. Remove synthetic bristles, rubber pads, metal pins, staples, and other non-compostable pieces first. If you cannot separate these materials, place the item in the trash or use a specialty recycler if available.
Preparation checklist
Remove hair, toothpaste residue, and other debris.
Wash and dry items if a donation or recycling program requires it.
Separate removable batteries, metal parts, or electronic components only when it is safe and permitted.
Check the material label and your local recycling rules.
Use a specialty oral-care or e-waste program when available.
Keep small loose pieces out of curbside recycling unless specifically accepted.
Reduce future waste
Choose durable toothbrushes with replaceable heads when appropriate.
Consider electric toothbrushes with replaceable brush heads rather than replacing the entire handle.
Choose wooden or bamboo brushes only when you understand which parts are actually compostable.
Select simple, durable combs made from one material when possible.
Avoid mixed-material brushes that cannot be separated or recycled.
Safety and Legal Notice
This guide is for educational purposes only. Recycling, composting, donation, and e-waste requirements vary by product, material, manufacturer, recycler, and location. Confirm current acceptance instructions with the receiving organization before donating, mailing, or dropping off any item.
Do not place electric toothbrushes, rechargeable batteries, or battery-containing devices in household trash or curbside recycling. Do not open, puncture, crush, burn, or dismantle a battery-containing device unless the manufacturer or authorized recycler instructs you to do so.
Only compost untreated natural materials after removing nylon bristles, metal staples, rubber pads, adhesives, coatings, and other non-compostable parts. Do not donate used personal-care items unless the recipient specifically confirms that it accepts them.
