Dentists

[Scrap man]

Before you call me crazy, hear me out. Has anyone ever contacted a dentist about removing scrap? I know they probably don't have a lot of big stuff, but I was thinking of all the special metal they use for braces, fake teeth, and stuff. Some of that is going for $100+ per ounce on eBay. I don't know how much of it they get on a weekly basis, but it might be something to look into.

[Dumpster-Dee]

interesting idea scrap man.....I'll check with my dentist

[Mechanic688]

A lot of that scrap would be considered hazardous waste and gotten rid of thru a special company that's licensed to handle it. Anything that's been in someone's mouth or body. Just my thoughts,,

[parrothead]

I believe that they are taught the ins and outs of precious metals while in dental school. Including recycling of them to improve their bottom line. I am pretty sure that there are no dentists out there throwing away those materials. They either reuse them if they make their own stuff, or they sell it back to the manufacturer that makes stuff for them.

However, this is just me assuming and I would love to hear from someone who talks to a dentist about this.

[sjones99]

Most dentist already recycle thru companies they purchase their stuff thru...kind of a buy back system.

[jLr]

Good idea. When I was a teenager I put in some hours with a family friend who made replacement teeth from platinum, gold, etc. Every few years he would rip up the carpet where he did his grinding and such to sweep up and cash in on the precious metals. So I would say most dentists know what their "scrap" is worth.

[Dumpster-Dee]

Right on all counts.......my dentist didn't say he rips up the carpet, but he did say that nothing gets thrown away in this day and age !!! Good thought anyway Scrap man.

[Mick]

I googled "dental scrap" and found several companies that buy the stuff. Didn't understand their wanting to buy carpets and vacuum bags till I read more posts here.

[Scrap man]

Shot down... Oh well. It was worth a try

[Mick]

Shot down... Oh well. It was worth a try

Keep at it Scrap man. That's how people become millionaires - they keep coming up with ideas till one takes off. They didn't get there by giving up.

[Scrap man]

I remember when I got my braces taken off, I asked if I could keep them (I don't remember why). Now I know why they said no.

[IdahoScrapper]

I remember when I got my braces taken off, I asked if I could keep them (I don't remember why). Now I know why they said no.

Really? Braces cost enough as it is and you can't keep them.

[Scrap man]

I think they said something about properly disposing of them

[jLr]

I think they said something about properly disposing of them

In other words properly disposing means cashing in. lol

[Lawn Island Scrapper]

actually....

i'd think that the most "scrap" a dentist would have would be x-ray sheets.... last i checked they were .55/lb , that was about 2 years ago though... cashed in about 200 lbs of xrays ditched in a dr's office dumpster... due to patient confidentiality i'd think that was illegal for them to do...

[82cj7]

Has anyone recently recycled x-rays and got paid for it? If so, where do you take them? If there is no pt information on the x-ray, then no legal issues.

[Mechanic688]

I think I read on Scrapmonster.com where someone was advertising wanting to buy x-ray films.

[tinman#30]

Maybe we should specialize in carpeting dentist offices.... hahaha

[easyrecycle]

X-ray film has silver on it...use bleach..it will wash right off an then you will use a coffee filter to filter the bleach out. The silver in the filter will be 99% pure.

Sometimes you have to leave the film in the bleach wash to get the silver off. There is all so silver in 90% of all keyboards but that you have to burn very very slowly so the silver ash wont blow away. Some movie film all so has silver in it as well...the way to tell is you do a scratch test on it an then do a simple silver test (you will be looking for the red color).

[easyrecycle]

actually....

i'd think that the most "scrap" a dentist would have would be x-ray sheets.... last i checked they were .55/lb , that was about 2 years ago though... cashed in about 200 lbs of xrays ditched in a dr's office dumpster... due to patient confidentiality i'd think that was illegal for them to do...

There is around $6 to $20 worth of silver per pound of x-ray film.