Japan Dentures Recycling Association

This non-profit organisation raises cash donations for UNICEF, by using donated partial dentures.
The dentures are separated from their metal clasps, and the metal is then recycled. In 2007, the association donated about $80,600 U.S. to the Japan Committee for UNICEF, according to the Japan FS website.

Isao Miyoshi who runs a dental laboratory in Japan is also dealing with used partial dentures — which he’s in the business of recycling. His project is making a difference to many people, including himself.

No matter how many teeth were on them, all the partial dentures had metal clasps — and these are what Miyoshi is recycling.
Clasps and other metals used to stabilize dentures are often alloys of gold, silver and palladium. According to Miyoshi, 5 grams of these alloys are worth around 2,000 yen once they are separated from the dentures.
“People on average get new dentures every three years, because the condition of their teeth changes,” Miyoshi said. “Once the new ones are made, dentists usually give the old ones back to the patients. But most people don’t know what to do with them and they end up keeping them in a drawer. That’s really a waste of something useful. In our lab, we make about 30 new dentures a day, that means 30 more are thrown away.”

Miyoshi decided he would ask people to donate their disused dentures with metal on them, then take them to a refinery and donate the earnings from selling the pure metals to UNICEF.
Source: The Japan Times

How to donate

  • Clean and disinfect your dentures. This can be done by pouring boiling water over them. Although dental solution can be used to clean them, it doesn’t always kill all the bacteria and fungi that can grow on dentures. If you prefer not to pour boiling water, you can carefully place them into a pot of water and bring it to a boil, and then turn off the heat and wait for the water to cool to remove them. Alternatively, you can soak them in a solution that is equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water for thirty minutes, then rinse and let dry completely.
  • Wrap them in tissue paper, bubble wrap or other cushioning packing material. Then place the well-wrapped dentures into a padded envelope.
  • Address the package to: Japan Dentures Recycling Association, 350-8799 Kawagoe Post Office Stop, Japan.  http://ireba-recycle.com/jdra_004.htm

  • Determine the cost of shipping by visiting your local Post Office and have it determine the cost of postage for you, or use a courier company, (like UPS).Address when using a courier service: 
    3-16-10 Nishisakado, Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture 350-0247
    NPO Japan Insertion Recycling Association
    Tel 049-299-4521

For any enquiries you can fill in the contact form on their website: http://ireba-recycle.com/jdra_020.htm