HERE comes the world’s first clean and green toothbrush.
It’s clean and green because it is claimed to be carbon neutral, raising environmental standards in the oral care industry, says its manufacturer, GSK Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH).
You may have encountered many GSK consumer products such as the well-known brands Sensodyne and Advil.
The company is piloting the product as Dr. Best GreenClean toothbrush. It uses renewable raw materials to reduce fossil fuels in making plastic.
Its handle is made of renewable cellulose and a wood-based bioplastic that is derived from pine, spruce and birch trees in sustainable forests. These are forests that are planted and harvest in a sustainable way that does not lead to deforestation.
The renewable toothbrush handle is a byproduct of paper production that would have been disposed of if not used in the new handle.
The toothbrush bristles are 100-perecent made of renewable castor oil which is already used in GSKCH’s Aquafresh and Dr. Best bamboo brushes.
The packaging is 100 percent plastic-free that uses renewable cellulose.
GSKCH has partnered with ClimatePartner, Europe’s leading provider for corporate climate action initiatives. ClimatePartner has analyzed the new toothbrush and found that it reduced carbon footprint by over 50 percent when compared to the standard Dr. Best toothbrush.
The remaining footprint is offset through a community based ClimatePartner project in Madagascar.
GSKCH plans to be the world’s most sustainable manufacturer across its oral care portfolio. It recognizes the fact that, according to a recent Nielsen study, 73 percent of consumers say they would change consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment.
In 2020 GSKCH launched in Europe its first sustainably grown bamboo toothbrush. This year it launched its first plastic-free toothbrush packaging in the United States and Australia.
GSKCH is reducing energy consumption through more efficient manufacturing systems, including energy efficient lights, heating systems, and motors. It is also investing in renewable energy, a commitment to use 100-percent renewable electricity by 2025.
“We’re proud to have led the growth of the oral care category globally, applying our trusted science to build awareness of preventable oral care conditions and drive better oral care habits,” says Gareth Rudduck, Oral Care Sustainability Lead, GSK Consumer Healthcare. “We’re now collaborating with retailers and dental healthcare professionals to drive the growth of more sustainable options in oral care products across the world.”
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
