What's the Environmental Impact of Clear Aligner Manufacture, Use, & Disposal?

Raw Materials: Plastic Dependency

Clear aligners are made from medical-grade thermoplastic polymers, which are usually petroleum-based. The drilling and processing of oil contribute to air and water pollution along with the release of greenhouse gases. Although the amount of plastic used for aligners is limited to single-use plastic items such as water bottles or bags, the amount of plastic used by the millions of aligners created throughout the world is considerable.

It seems that plastic is a key ingredient in clear aligners, and that is a huge environmental problem since it leads to an increased usage of fossil fuels. Even with all efforts to use stable materials, almost all clear aligners on the market today use a great deal of non-modulated materials.

Energy Use in Manufacturing

Making these clear aligners requires intricate digital modeling and 3D printing, which are very energy-consuming processes. The energy that is produced from this process is from non-renewable resources like coal or natural gas, so it releases more CO2.

Also, it is patiently tailor-made, with multiple different outputs for each set of aligners. Although this personalized approach provides accurate corrective care, it also increases the energy consumption associated with each treatment.

Transportation Emissions

With clear aligners, they are typically delivered right to the customer's home or dental office, which adds a whole new dimension to their products. Transportation, especially overseas transport by air, sea, or road, produces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A company like ALIGNERCO (which is an at-home clear aligner company) can cut out the CO2 emissions from cars because patients won't have to drive to the doctor every two weeks to get an adjustment.

Single-Use Nature

Clear aligners are changed every one to two weeks. This is to account for tooth movement. Every patient uses multiple sets, and sometimes the total is over 20 to 30 sets. These aligners are small in size. They stack up quickly. Every set is a product of single-use plastic.

Packaging Waste

Often aligners come in separate plastic packaging. This adds more waste. Brands are trying to cut down on excessive packaging. They also switch to employing recyclable materials. But the reality is most packaging still ends up in landfills.

Cleaning Products

Clear aligners must be cleaned daily. This is to ensure hygiene. Often, special cleaning tablets or solutions are used. Yet this generates further environmental impact. Production of these products adds to environmental stress. So does the packaging and disposal.

Lack of Recycling Options

Clear aligners create a major environmental issue. Disposal is a primary concern. Most aligners are plastic. This plastic is not biodegradable. It will sit in landfills for centuries. What's more? The number of clear aligner users is increasing daily. This poses an environmental challenge.

Aligner materials are not typically recyclable. They're complex medical-grade plastics and hard to repurpose. Most used aligners end up in landfills. A few manufacturers are looking into recycling used aligners. But these efforts are new and not widely available.

Consumers often toss aligners in the trash. This is due to a lack of options for aligner disposal. The increasing plastic waste problem is due in part to this.

Environmental Impact of Landfills

Clear aligners upon disposal join overwhelming quantities of plastic waste gathering in landfills. With time, these plastics can convert into microplastics. These pose risks as contamination of soil and water is also evident.

Moreover, the breakdown of plastic in landfills results in the production of methane. This is a potent greenhouse gas. It affects the climate in a harmful way. Clear aligners might seem like a small contributor to this problem. The total impact of numerous aligners is severe.

Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

Although it is a viable option, alternatives exist to traditional plastics. One example is bioplastics. These are made from resources like corn and sugar cane. They are not petroleum-based. Even though bioplastics are not commonly used for the production of aligners, they are a step in the right direction.

There's another area for manufacturers to have an impact. Energy efficiency provides that area. Utilization of renewable energy sources is profitable. Production facilities can greatly reduce carbon emissions with solar or wind power. The green energy transition is helpful. It lowers the overall environmental impact of open-air production.

Responsible Use of Clear Aligners

The responsible use of clear aligners is important. It can reduce environmental impact, as consumers can take several steps to do so. For example, they can choose brands that focus on sustainability. ALIGNERCO is a clear aligner brand that offers at-home solutions and is a leader in this area. They are exploring methods to reduce their environmental footprint. This is accomplished through responsible sourcing and packaging.

Eco-Friendly Disposal Options

Although most clear aligners cannot be recycled through normal programs, there are some new options for more socially conscious disposal. Some dental offices and providers of orthodontic appliances are now offering specific programs for the recycling of used aligners. They accept used aligners and send them to recycling centers that break down the materials. Then these materials can be used again.

Moreover, some manufacturers are looking into take-back programs. This allows patients to return their used aligners. Then these aligners can be thrown away or recycled. Programs like these are not yet common. They do solve the increasing issue of aligner waste.

Reduction of Packaging Waste

Consumers also have the power to choose which brands of aligners use little to no packaging or use recyclable packaging. Some companies are moving towards eco-friendly materials. Such as using recycled paper or biodegradable plastics for their packaging.

Further waste reduction can be achieved by reusing the packaging materials. The boxes and containers can be repurposed by using them for storage or even for other household purposes.