4 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST Summing up the Aligner Recycling Program: Available to all Invisalign trained providers in Australia and New Zealand Recycling boxes orderable via the Invisalign Doctor Site Payment options include Invisalign Advantage Tier points or direct purchase Accepted materials: Invisalign® clear aligners, Vivera® retainers, plastic aligner bags and cases NEWS As dental professionals and industry partners, we dedicate ourselves to improving lives every day. That same commitment extends beyond the treatment room through the choices we make for our practices, our communities, and our environment. Together, we all have a role to play in reducing waste, conserving resources, and embracing smarter, more sustainable ways of working. At NSK, sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility. It is a commitment to the generations that follow us. Every piece of equipment that is repurposed or responsibly recycled helps reduce landfill waste, conserve valuable materials, and minimise environmental impact. That is why I am excited to launch our Trade it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. initiative. More than a trade-in program, it is an opportunity to rethink how we manage dental equipment at the end of its lifecycle. Align Technology has announced the rollout of its Invisalign® Aligner Recycling Program across Australia and New Zealand, making the initiative available to all Invisalign-trained providers in the region. The expanded program follows a pilot conducted with selected practices across Australia, designed to test logistics and patient engagement in real-world practice settings. Insights from the pilot have enabled Align Technology to refine and scale a solution that integrates seamlessly into everyday practice operations, while providing a practical way to collect and recycle used Invisalign aligners, Vivera retainers and associated packaging. Through the program, Invisalign trained providers can offer patients a simple in-practice recycling pathway using dedicated Invisalign recycling boxes, available for purchase via the Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS) webstore. Importantly, the program has been structured to support accessibility for practices, with flexible payment options allowing Invisalign trained providers to either purchase boxes by cash or by redeeming Invisalign Advantage Tier points. Recycle it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. A NSK initiative towards a more sustainable future Align Technology expands Invisalign® recycling program across Australia and New Zealand following pilot program By giving retired equipment a second life, we can reduce unnecessary waste while enabling clinics and practices to access the latest NSK technology through a more responsible approach to resource management and recycling. During my recent visit to Fiji, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how dental professionals are making a difference in their communities despite limited resources. It was inspiring to witness NSK equipment supporting local clinics, university training programs, and mobile dental services that bring essential oral healthcare to underserved communities. These experiences reinforced that our equipment is more than technology, it plays a role in educating future clinicians, supporting dedicated practitioners, and expanding access to quality care. It was a powerful reminder of the positive impact our industry can create when innovation is Align Technology also contributes towards the overall program cost, helping reduce barriers to participation and encouraging broader adoption across its provider network. “Following a comprehensive pilot phase, our focus was to create a recycling solution that is not only environmentally responsible, but also practical for everyday clinical use,” said Moez Attia, VP and Managing Director ANZ & SEA, and Strategic Initiatives APAC “By incorporating feedback from Invisalign trained providers, we’ve developed a recycling program that supports both practice workflows and growing patient expectations around sustainability.” The recycling program enables the collection of used Invisalign® clear aligners, Vivera® retainers and eligible packaging materials through practices, offering patients a visible and convenient way to participate in recycling through their provider. This initiative forms part of Align Technology’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting more sustainable practices across the orthodontic ecosystem. u combined with purpose. Sustainability is not achieved through one large action. It is built through many small, conscious decisions that collectively create meaningful and lasting impact. Through initiatives like this, we are not only investing in better technology but also helping build a more sustainable future for our industry. Thank you for being part of this journey! u For more information, contact: Pennie Cruickshank Associate Marketing Director, Enterprise Accounts ANZ Invisalign Australia Pty Ltd email pcruickshank@aligntech.com By Phil Fitzgibbon, Managing Director of NSK Oceania The Invisalign ANZ recycling box is suitable to promote recycling in your practice waiting room, order from the Invisalign Doctor Site.
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