Dentsply Sirona targets 2030 to make all dental product packaging recyclable
Dentsply Sirona, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, has reaffirmed its long-term environmental sustainability commitment by announcing a major initiative: all product packaging, including plastic components, will be recyclable by 2030.
This bold commitment is part of the company’s larger ESG vision to create a circular economy in dental healthcare, ensuring packaging contributes to a healthier planet without compromising safety, performance, or cost-efficiency for practitioners and labs.
“Sustainable packaging is an environmental imperative — one we have taken fully on board,” said Tony Johnson, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer, and Executive Sponsor for ESG at Dentsply Sirona. “We strive to make our packaging, including plastic parts, recyclable by 2030.”
Tackling the global plastic crisis
Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels. In the United States alone, only 6% of 40 million tonnes of plastic waste was recycled in 2021. Globally, the recycling rate is just 9.5%, according to the World Bank. The rest ends up in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems — threatening both human and environmental health.
As each individual generates nearly 0.74 kg (1.6 lbs) of plastic waste daily, industry leaders like Dentsply Sirona are stepping up to drive change through innovation and responsible supply chain management.
Key changes in packaging strategy
Dentsply Sirona’s roadmap to achieve its 2030 target is rooted in the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. The company is:
- Transitioning from plastic to paper-based and corrugated cardboard packaging
- Replacing foam inserts and single-use plastic trays with eco-friendly paper alternatives
- Reducing label sizes and box dimensions to lower material use and CO2 output
- Phasing out printed Instructions for Use (IFUs) in favor of digital documentation
This shift toward smaller, lighter, and easier-to-recycle packaging is expected to significantly reduce waste while offering practical benefits to dental practices — including lower disposal costs and better space utilization.
Aligning with global anti-plastic pollution efforts
Dentsply Sirona’s pledge comes as part of a larger international movement to reduce plastic pollution. The company emphasized its alignment with:
- United Nations negotiations for a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, with the next INC-5.2 summit scheduled for August 2025 in Geneva
- The Biden Administration’s first national plastic pollution strategy, released in July 2024
- World Environment Day 2025, where Dentsply Sirona called on the broader dental industry to commit to sustainable practices
“As a global dental industry leader, we are well-positioned to lead the way in rethinking and transforming packaging,” said Johnson. “We hope our actions inspire others to drive positive change in this critical area.”
Part of BEYOND: Taking action for a brighter world
The packaging overhaul is one part of Dentsply Sirona’s broader sustainability platform: BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World, which integrates ESG values across operations, product design, and stakeholder engagement.
As sustainability becomes a non-negotiable pillar in healthcare, Dentsply Sirona is setting the pace — demonstrating not only industry leadership, but also a people-first approach that prioritizes environmental health alongside dental innovation.
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