WARREN, N.J., April 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GSK Consumer
Healthcare (LSE/NYSE: GSK), the maker of Advil, today
announced its commitment to reducing the plastic in over 80 million
Advil bottles1 by 20%, which will result in a
reduction of nearly 500,000 pounds of plastic in the environment.
By 2022, Advil will have reduced the plastic in nearly all bottles
available in stores and online.2
The initiative is a first-of-its-kind sustainable plastic
technology for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. This new barrier
resin technology reduces the amount of resin required to mold and
craft the bottles, while maintaining the same barrier protection
properties. It allows for a 20% reduction in material usage for
high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles that will never enter the
environmental waste stream, without a reduction to critical
performance characteristics of the bottle.
The new sustainability goal set by Advil is part of GSK's
ambition for all consumer product packaging to be recyclable or
reusable, including eliminating all problematic and unnecessary
plastics when permitted, while ensuring the quality, safety and
efficacy of our products, by 2025.
"As a world leader in pain relief, we at GSK are proud to
transition Advil to a more environmentally friendly packaging,
further supporting GSK's commitment to sustainability," said
Sarah McDonald, VP of
Sustainability, GSK Consumer Healthcare. "With the new technology
available to us, we saw this as an opportunity to invest in the
future of our brands and sustainability goals. Advil's switch
to 20% less plastic is a first in the OTC category, and kicks off a
series of plastic reduction initiatives across the product
portfolio at GSK."
The focus on plastics and packaging is informed by the leading
requirements set by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. GSK joined the
Ellen MacArthur Network in 2020 and is committed to playing its
part in mobilizing a shift towards a circular economy for
plastics.
As part of their 2025 sustainability commitment, GSK also joined
the Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD), which aims to
increase the transparency and traceability of palm oil derivatives
supply chains. In collaboration with ASD, GSK introduced the
Sustainable Palm Index (SPI), an evaluation scorecard for suppliers
of palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives, intended to support
procurement decisions.
Further, last year GSK announced ambitious new environmental
sustainability goals in both climate and nature, aiming to have a
net zero impact on climate and a net positive impact on nature by
2030.
GSK has already begun transitioning Advil's bottles to 20% less
plastic, and the Advil portfolio will have transitioned by 2022,
online and on retail shelves nationwide. To learn more about Advil
and GSK's sustainability initiatives, visit GSK.com.
GSK's commitment to pain relief
We are the world leader in pain relief. With a portfolio of
(systemic and topical) products to relieve pain, our range brings
comfort and ease to millions. World-leading brands including Advil,
Panadol and Voltaren; and beloved local brands like Excedrin in the
US and Fenbid in China help people
manage their symptoms so they can enjoy life to the fullest.
About Advil
Patients and doctors have trusted
Advil to deliver powerful relief from several kinds of pain,
including headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis and other joint
pain, and backache for more than 35 years. No other OTC pain
reliever has been proven stronger on pain than Advil. Advil's line
of products includes Advil Liqui-Gels, Advil Migraine, Advil PM,
Children's Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief, and the brand's
latest innovation, Advil Dual Action.
Important Safety Information
For more than 30 years,
extensive consumer use and numerous clinical studies have shown
that, ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil, when used as
directed, is a safe and effective OTC pain reliever and fever
reducer.
Please refer to the full product labeling for additional safety
information related to Advil.
About GSK Consumer Healthcare
GSK Consumer Healthcare combines science and consumer insights to
create innovative world-class health care brands that consumers
trust and experts recommend for oral health, pain relief,
respiratory and wellness. For further information please
visit www.gsk.com.
Media
Inquiries:
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GSK Consumer
Healthcare
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Caitlin
Kormann
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+1 617 448
0557
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Warren
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Edelman Jessica
Moschella
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+1 201 953
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(New York
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1 Annual volume
2 Does not include Advil "easy open" bottles
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SOURCE GSK Consumer Healthcare