Friday 10 September 2021

Cleaning your teeth and the planet at the same time?

GSK Consumer Healthcare has launched what it claims to be a carbon-neutral toothbrush.

It has revealed renewable raw materials have been used to make the toothbrush, reducing the fossil fuels needed for virgin plastic.

GSK claims the handle are made from a wood-based bioplastic that is a by-product of paper production that would otherwise be disposed of. The bristles consist of ‘100% renewable’ castor oil and the packaging is entirely plastic-free.

GSK has partnered with ClimatePartner to track the carbon footprint of the toothbrush and claims it is has halved compared with its previous products.

The remaining carbon footprint is offset by the company with environmental conservation work in Madagascar.

George Rudduck, Oral Care Sustainability Lead at GSK Consumer Healthcare, said: “Whilst this product achieves carbon-neutral status by offsetting, we are working to develop future solutions that do not require offsetting.

“It’s just one part of our ongoing sustainability journey, in which we’re working to address the environmental and societal barriers to everyday health.”