I’ve seen collection bins for eyeglasses before. The local Lions Club does this as one of its charitable works, but I had to look twice when I saw a story about collection bins for false teeth.
My first thought was “Ick” followed immediately by “Gross.”
Then I was reminded about this recent story that featured artwork on teeth.
However, after further reading, the group in Japan picking up the donated dentures isn’t giving them out to the toothless needy.
Instead, the Japan Society for the Recycling of Dentures is breaking down the choppers and taking the precious metals from them.
It isn’t the plastic and fake ivory they’re after. It’s the metals like gold and silver that comprise the clasps and framework they seek. An average set of dentures can be turned into about 3,000 yen or the equivalent of $28 U.S. dollars which will buy eight blankets. Organizations like UNICEF Japan are the recipients of the cash.
According to the dental technician that started the project, people average needing new dentures or plates every three years.
That’s a lot of false teeth bringing real hope to those in need.
Tags: false teeth, dentures, recycling, donations, Japan