Recycle Lady: Laundry, Plastic Free July and Toothbrushes

Dear Recycle Lady,

Can toothbrushes or toothpaste tubes be recycled? Pearly Whites

Dear Pearly Whites,

Toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes both require special recycling. Toothbrushes are tough to recycle as they are made of several types of plastic that are bonded together, with nylon bristles added for the brush. Toothpaste tubes are tough to recycle because they’re made with multiple layers of plastic and a thin layer of aluminum. Separating these materials is almost impossible and most recycling facilities aren’t equipped to handle them.

However, the Recycling Center in Ronceverte participates in the TerraCycle mail-in program sponsored by Colgate Oral Care which accepts toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers. Plus, it pays the postage to send in the brushes, tubes and floss containers that are then repurposed into new products. There is a special large tube in the aluminum can area at the Recycling Center into which all these items can be deposited. Be sure to remove any toothpaste remaining on the brushes. The Recycling Center has mailed four 25-pound boxes of toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss containers, all free of charge.

Have you tried any of the new sustainable alternatives, such as the bamboo toothbrush? Used toothbrushes can also be upcycled or repurposed for various household cleaning jobs.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Why is the month of July called Plastic Free July? Plastic Recycler

Dear Plastic Recycler,

The Plastic Free July Challenge is a global social movement that began in 2011 in Western Australia as an annual challenge to help empower people to reduce single-use plastic. The challenge, which began with only 40 participants, had an estimated 174 million participants in over 190 countries last year in the 2024 challenge.

To join the 2025 Plastic Free July Challenge go to https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/take-the-challenge, click on “Take the Challenge” and pledge to reduce the use of one single-use plastic item daily, or reduce the use of takeaway items. For the good of the environment, let’s all be “plastic free” in July and avoid items such as single-use cups, plastic food wrap, and plastic beverage bottles.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Can extra-large, colored plastic, laundry detergent jugs be recycled? Laundry Lady

Dear Laundry Lady,

Yes, these jugs are recyclable. Put them in the bin with #2 colored plastics. Each year, 900 million jugs are used in the U.S. alone and unfortunately, only about 30% of plastic laundry detergent jugs are recycled — most end up in landfills contributing to long-term plastic waste.

Have you tried the new laundry detergent sheets or tablets? They are plastic free, nontoxic and made with clean ingredients. They are eco-friendly, fragrance-free, and you’ll have no heavy jugs to carry home from the store!

Good News! Kudos to Vermont for creating two underpasses beneath a busy road in a migration corridor that has cut amphibian deaths — including salamanders and frogs — by 80%.

Interesting Ocean News: The Ocean Census announced 866 new marine species — including a guitar shark, sea butterfly and sea slug! This 2025 milestone deepens our understanding of ocean biodiversity and boosts awareness for conservation. (fto.com)

Have questions about recycling or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.