GSK Consumer Healthcare Launches Its First Carbon-Neutral Toothbrush, Setting a New Benchmark for Sustainability in Oral Care

LONDON, Sept. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --GSKGSK Consumer Healthcare (hereinafter referred to as "GSK Consumer Healthcare") has launched the company's first carbon-neutral toothbrush, helping to raise sustainability standards in the oral health industry. Well-known brands under the GSK Consumer Healthcare business include Sensodyne, Parodontax, Voltaren, Advil, and others.

GSK Consumer Healthcare will become an independent company next year, having recently successfully developed an innovative method for producing high-performance oral care products using renewable raw materials, which helps reduce fossil fuel consumption associated with virgin plastics. GSK Consumer Healthcare is set to launchDr.BEST GreenClean Toothbrush combines renewable handle technology with prior innovations in renewable bristles and packaging.

GSK Consumer Healthcare'sDr.BEST is the most popular manual toothbrush brand in Germany. The company aims to become the world's most sustainable toothbrush manufacturer and has developed a global strategy to apply this technology to other toothbrushes within its product portfolio, including its renowned Sensodyne brand. In light of the growing global consumer preference for more sustainable products, GSK Consumer Healthcare is actively expanding the development of sustainable options within its oral care portfolio. A recent Nielsen study reveals that "73% of consumers state they would change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact."

The launch of this carbon-neutral toothbrush marks a solid step forward for GSK Consumer Healthcare on its path to sustainable oral health. GSK Consumer Healthcare launched its first sustainable toothbrush in September 2020, making it available in Europe and the United States. In March this year, the company introduced its first plastic-free toothbrush packaging, which has been applied to Sensodyne Pronamel and Parodontax products in the U.S. In the Asia-Pacific region, the product will first be launched in Australia.

GSKHead of Sustainability, Oral Health, Consumer HealthcareGareth RudduckIndicates:

“We apply trusted science to raise awareness of preventable oral health conditions, foster better oral care habits, and are proud to lead the development of the global oral health category. Currently, we are collaborating with retailers and dental health professionals to drive the growth of more sustainable solutions across the global oral health product landscape. While this product achieves carbon neutrality through carbon offsets, we are actively working to develop future solutions that do not rely on offsets. We strive to address the environmental and social barriers impacting everyday health, and these efforts are just one part of our ongoing sustainability journey.”

The carbon-neutral toothbrush is one of the initiatives by GSK Consumer Healthcare to fulfill its mission of reducing carbon emissions. The company employs a two-pronged approach to cut carbon emissions. First, it lowers energy consumption through more efficient manufacturing systems (including energy-efficient lighting, heating systems, and motors, as well as switching off power where feasible); second, it invests in renewable energy at GSK Consumer Healthcare sites and has committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2025. The company also works closely with suppliers to reduce the carbon content in all materials and decrease the total amount of plastic used across its entire product portfolio.

As part of GSK, GSK Consumer Healthcare's sustainability programme supports GSK's corporate commitments. In November 2020, GSK Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley announced that GSK will achieve a net-zero climate impact by 2030, driving positive change for the environment.

-------ENDS------