Dental Floss Trash Most conventional flosses are made from nylon which cannot be composted and should be placed in the trash. Eco-Friendly Options: Search the internet for refillable floss that comes in reusable containers like glass or aluminum. Choose silk or PLA (bioplastic) floss over nylon (plastic) based flosses. However, these should both be placed in the trash, and not in the organics bin. Never Flush Floss Floss doesn’t break down when flushed and can combine with other materials to clog drains. Ways to Reduce Skip the Picks Floss picks create unnecessary plastic waste. Skip the picks and opt for traditional floss, which is a lower waste option. Choose Natural Floss Generic floss is typically made out of nylon, a synthetic plastic material that won’t break down over time. Reduce the amount of plastic that builds up in our environment by choosing natural, biodegradable floss made from silk instead.