Dentsply Sirona is marking World Environment Day 2025 (June 5) by calling for increased efforts across the dental industry to address environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on packaging waste. According to the company, packaging accounts for the largest source of plastic waste in the dental sector and represents a significant component of municipal waste streams worldwide.
The company stated it is working to make all its packaging recyclable by 2030. This goal is part of the “Healthy Planet” pillar of its “BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World” sustainability program and includes internal changes intended to support dental practices in their own waste reduction efforts.
According to Dentsply Sirona, its approach includes incorporating circular economy principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling, as well as eliminating problematic, non-recyclable plastics. The company is transitioning from plastic to paper-based and corrugated cardboard materials, replacing foam inserts and single-use trays with paper alternatives, and reducing label and box sizes. Printed instructions for use will be replaced with digital versions where permitted by local regulations. The company reports that packaging optimizations have already been implemented and that cumulative changes are expected to result in environmental benefits over time.
“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,” said Tony Johnson, senior vice president, 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.”
The company also notes that redesigning packaging to be smaller and easier to recycle can help reduce carbon emissions and bring operational advantages for dental practices and laboratories, such as space efficiency and lower disposal costs.
In addition to internal packaging changes, Dentsply Sirona continues to participate in broader sustainability efforts in the dental industry. It remains a founding member of the FDI World Dental Federation’s “Sustainability in Dentistry” initiative. According to the company, this collaboration has produced educational resources such as two open-access online courses and a practical resource kit aimed at helping dental professionals reduce the environmental impact of daily practice.
Dentsply Sirona is also taking part in the 2025 Sustainability in Dentistry Summit, hosted by the FDI, where it will participate in panel discussions and maintain a virtual booth. The company was included in Newsweek’s 2025 list of environmentally focused companies.
“Sustainability is a shared responsibility — and inconsistent global regulations continue to slow progress,” said 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.”
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