SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 24, 2025 – Dentsply Sirona is calling on the global dental industry to strengthen its commitment to sustainable packaging, aligning with World Environment Day 2025 and accelerating efforts under its “BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World” strategy. As part of its Healthy Planet pillar, the company aims to make all of its packaging recyclable by 2030, reinforcing its leadership role in advancing environmentally responsible practices across dental care.
Driving Sustainable Packaging Innovation
Packaging accounts for a significant share of waste in the dental industry and beyond. In the U.S., it makes up 63% of municipally collected garbage, while in dentistry it is the largest contributor to plastic waste. Dentsply Sirona is actively addressing this issue by implementing circular economy principles—reduce, reuse, and recycle—into its packaging systems.
This includes:
- Transitioning from plastic to paper-based and corrugated cardboard alternatives
- Replacing foam inserts and single-use plastic trays with paper inserts
- Reducing label and box sizes
- Replacing printed Instructions For Use (IFUs) with digital versions wherever feasible¹
The company has already achieved measurable progress through packaging optimization and expects these accumulative improvements to yield long-term environmental benefits.
“Sustainable packaging is an environmental imperative – one we have taken fully on board with our ambitious goal to strive to make our packaging, including plastic parts, recyclable by 2030,” says Tony Johnson SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer and Executive Sponsor for ESG at Dentsply Sirona. “As a global dental industry leader, we are well-positioned to lead the way in rethinking and transforming packaging – and we hope our actions will inspire others to join us in driving positive change in this critical area.”
Besides reducing environmental impact, redesigned packaging delivers operational advantages such as space savings and lower disposal costs for dental practices and laboratories.
Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration
Dentsply Sirona’s commitment extends beyond internal changes. The company is working closely with the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) to promote broader adoption of sustainable practices in dentistry. As a founding member of FDI’s Sustainability in Dentistry initiative, Dentsply Sirona has supported the creation of two Sustainability in Dentistry Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and a dedicated resource kit that equips dental professionals with practical strategies for reducing environmental impact in their daily work.
The company is also contributing to the FDI’s “Sustainability in Dentistry Summit 2025” through panel participation and a virtual booth. Its commitment was recently recognized by Newsweek, which named Dentsply Sirona among the “World's Greenest Companies 2025.”
“Sustainability is a shared responsibility - and inconsistent global regulations continue to slow progress,” says Tony Johnson. “We urge policymakers, manufacturers and industry partners to come together to align on harmonized standards and scale sustainable packaging solutions. By working collaboratively, we can drive real change and go BEYOND for a brighter, more sustainable future.”
Setting the Pace for a Greener Dental Industry
Dentsply Sirona’s initiatives reflect a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to sustainability in healthcare manufacturing. By focusing on recyclability, educational outreach, and regulatory alignment, the company sets a strong example for how industrial leaders can accelerate sector-wide environmental progress.
Learn more at www.dentsplysirona.com.