Dettol. Durex. Lizol. Reckitt’s Big Move Toward a Cleaner Future

From protecting health at home to supporting hygiene and well-being globally, Reckitt has built some of the world’s most trusted brands: Dettol, Durex, Lizol, Harpic, Finish, and more. As climate, nature, and public health challenges grow, the company is pushing itself further, embedding sustainability into how it makes products, works with suppliers, and delivers impact in people’s lives.

With over 30 million people using a Reckitt product every day, the company believes it has a responsibility and an opportunity to create positive change at scale. From reducing plastic and emissions to supporting sanitation and sustainable sourcing, Reckitt is reshaping how everyday products can serve both people and the planet.

 

Cutting Carbon

 

Reckitt has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across its entire value chain. This includes not just its factories but the entire lifecycle of its products.

So far, the company has already reduced emissions from its direct operations (factories and offices) by 69 percent compared to 2015. That’s a significant milestone, especially given how energy-intensive consumer goods production can be.

The bigger task now lies in its indirect emissions, from raw materials to product disposal, which make up over 95 percent of its total carbon footprint. Reckitt aims to cut these emissions by 50 percent by 2030. To do this, it's rethinking how products are designed, how materials are sourced, and how suppliers operate.

Renewable energy is part of the equation. Thirteen of its facilities are now powered by solar, and the goal is to reach 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.

What’s notable is the company’s approach. It is not relying heavily on carbon offsets. Instead, it is focused on reducing emissions at the source. As Reckitt’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Fabrice Beaulieu, puts it:
“We believe in cutting emissions at the core, not just compensating for them. Data and AI are helping us act faster and smarter.”

 

Rethinking Plastic and Packaging

 

Plastic waste is a growing concern for ecosystems, for consumers, and for companies. Reckitt is taking clear steps to reduce its packaging footprint.

By 2030, the company wants to:

• Reduce virgin plastic use by 50 percent
• Ensure 100 percent of its plastic packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2025
• Use 25 percent recycled plastic in its packaging by 2025

Virgin plastic use was down 7.3 percent year-on-year, and roughly 75 percent of packaging is now recyclable or reusable.

More than numbers, it's the product innovation that stands out.

In India, Dettol launched a powder-to-liquid handwash that lets consumers refill their bottles up to 20 times. The sachets use over 90 percent less plastic than a new bottle and are easier to transport, store, and use. For many families, it’s a cheaper and more sustainable option.

Meanwhile, the Finish brand introduced paper-based stand-up pouches in France, saving over 2,000 tonnes of plastic each year. It’s a simple change that can ripple through millions of households.

These innovations are part of a bigger goal: making circularity part of everyday life.

 

Looking After Nature and the People Who Depend on It

 

Reckitt’s products rely on natural resources such as water, forests, and agricultural land. The company is now working to better understand and reduce its impact on biodiversity and nature.

 

Better Sourcing for Everyday Products

 

Natural rubber is used to make Durex condoms. Reckitt sources this rubber from smallholder farmers in Thailand and Malaysia. Since 2017, they’ve supported farming communities to adopt better practices, protect nearby forests, improve productivity, and increase income stability.

They also introduced Fair Trade-certified latex, providing premium payments to over 2,000 smallholder farmers and tappers. For consumers, it means Durex condoms now come with a story of fairness and sustainability behind them.

Palm oil, used in many personal care products, is another focus. Reckitt has reached 94 percent traceability to the plantation level and is working toward deforestation-free sourcing by 2030.

 

Protecting Rivers and Water Resources

 

In partnership with WWF, Reckitt is helping to protect over 2,000 kilometers of freshwater ecosystems, including parts of the Ganges in India and the Amazon’s Tapajós basin. These efforts combine conservation work with community education, helping preserve local biodiversity while supporting livelihoods.

From improving how materials are grown and harvested to funding river restoration, Reckitt is moving toward what many call a nature-positive approach where business doesn’t just reduce harm but helps restore ecosystems.

 

Supporting Health and Hygiene Access Around the World

 

Reckitt’s social impact work builds on what its brands already stand for: cleaner homes, safer health, and better hygiene. But it’s taking that further through long-term programs that serve people in underserved communities.

Every year, the company invests 1 percent of its net profit, over £30 million, in social programs. In 2022, these efforts reached over 22 million people across 45 countries.

Some highlights include:

• Harpic and Water.org helped more than 1.8 million people gain access to clean water and toilets
• Dettol Hygiene Quest educated nearly 2 million schoolchildren on handwashing and sanitation
• The Fight for Access Accelerator supported community-led health startups working on everything from menstrual hygiene to child nutrition

The company also stepped up during COVID-19, delivering more than £50 million in aid and product donations to frontline workers, hospitals, and vulnerable communities.

 

Sustainability Built Into the Business

 

Reckitt’s leadership has made sustainability part of its core strategy. It’s not treated as a separate department but as a shared responsibility across teams.

• The full Board of Directors now oversees ESG matters directly
• Executive bonuses are linked to sustainability outcomes including emissions reduction and sustainable product sales
• The company reports through widely recognized frameworks like TCFD and CDP, and many of its ESG metrics are independently assured

Sustainability risks such as climate disruptions or supply chain issues are now part of how the company manages risk and reviews strategy. This sends a clear signal that ESG is not just about responsibility but also about resilience.

 

Brands Taking the Lead

 

One of Reckitt’s strongest advantages is its portfolio of familiar, trusted brands. Each of these brands now has a role to play in the company’s sustainability goals.

• Dettol is educating children about hygiene and launching refill formats to cut waste
• Durex is supporting sexual health awareness and using responsibly sourced latex
• Lysol and Lizol are running school health programs and shifting to cold-water formulations to reduce energy use
• Finish is helping save water through its “Skip the Rinse” campaign and water replenishment partnerships
• Air Wick is restoring wildflower meadows to support pollinators

These efforts go beyond good intentions. They align brand purpose with real-world impact. For Reckitt, sustainability is not something added on. It is something built in.

 

What Comes Next

 

Reckitt’s journey continues. The goals are ambitious, and the challenges are real. But what stands out is how the company is moving forward: with a sense of clarity, urgency, and commitment across the entire organization.

This is not just about carbon or plastic. It’s about working with farmers, supporting schoolchildren, restoring rivers, and offering products that reflect the values of today’s consumers.

Dettol. Durex. Lizol. These are brands many of us know well. Now they are becoming part of a bigger story focused on healthier lives, stronger communities, and a more sustainable planet.

 

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