How to Recycle Prosthetics and Medical Implants
Artificial limbs, joint replacements, pacemakers, and other implantable medical devices containing valuable metals and reusable components. Many prosthetics retain significant value and can be refurbished for reuse in developing countries. Medical implants require specialized handling due to biological contamination but contain precious metals worth $50-5000+ per device.
- 1Clean external surfaces thoroughly with medical-grade disinfectant
- 2Remove all personal identification and medical information
- 3Separate electronic components from mechanical parts where possible
- 4Document device model numbers and serial numbers for tracking
- 5Photograph condition for donation or recycling assessment
- 6Package carefully to prevent damage during transport
- 7Obtain medical clearance for implant removal if applicable
- Limbs for Life Foundation (prosthetic donation)
- Medical metal recycling companies
- Crematorium metal recovery programs
- Medical device manufacturer take-back programs
- International prosthetic donation programs
- Precious metal refineries specializing in medical devices
Pacemakers and defibrillators must be removed before cremation due to explosion risk. Used implants cannot be reused in humans due to infection risk but contain valuable metals. Prosthetic limbs can often be refurbished and donated internationally. Some items require medical waste disposal due to biological contamination.
Medical implants contain precious metals including titanium, platinum, gold, and rare earth elements worth significant recovery value. Prosthetic donation prevents manufacturing of new devices, saving 50-200 pounds of raw materials per limb. However, 95% of removed implants currently go to medical waste due to lack of recovery programs.
- Donate functional prosthetics to international programs
- Participate in manufacturer trade-in programs for upgrades
- Use modular prosthetic systems for easier component replacement
- Consider prosthetic sharing programs for temporary needs
Accepted
- External prosthetic limbs (arms, legs, hands)
- Removed pacemakers and defibrillators
- Joint replacement components (hips, knees)
- Dental implants and crowns
- Hearing implants and cochlear devices
- Prosthetic eyes and facial prosthetics
Not Accepted
- Implants with active infections or biological contamination
- Devices with unknown medical history
- Damaged prosthetics beyond repair capability
- Implants from infectious disease patients
Estimated value: Prosthetics: $500-15,000 donation value; Implants: $50-5,000 in recovered metals
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Lithium batteries in active implants
- Biological contamination risk
- Radiation sources in some medical devices
- Heavy metals in electronic components
Can I donate my old prosthetic limb?
Yes! Organizations like Limbs for Life Foundation accept used prosthetics for refurbishment and international donation. Clean, functional prosthetics can dramatically improve lives in developing countries.
What happens to pacemakers after death?
Pacemakers must be removed before cremation to prevent explosion. They can be recycled for precious metals or sometimes donated internationally after battery replacement and refurbishment.
Are there health risks in handling used medical implants?
Yes - treat all removed implants as potentially infectious. Wear gloves, clean thoroughly, and follow medical waste protocols. External prosthetics pose lower risk than internal implants.
Can joint replacements be reused?
Not in humans due to infection risk, but the metal components (titanium, stainless steel) are valuable for recycling into new medical devices or other applications.