US-headquartered retailer and wholesaler of health and wellness products Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has provided an update on its sustainable packaging progress.

The company states that the issue of packaging waste continues to be a concern for its industry and that it has reduced single-use plastic components in its packaging.

Through the implementation and execution of tools and programmes during 2023, WBA engaged with more suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of its sourcing practices.

Its Boots and No7 Beauty Company brands have expanded the number of products across categories produced from recycled content and recyclable or natural materials. This includes reusable makeup remover pads, cleansing pads, reusable baby wipes, lipsticks and compacts and incorporates its eyewear brand, Botaniq.

To support the UK's National Recycling Week 2023, held from 17 to 23 October, Boots ran an awareness campaign on the low recycling rates for bathroom (50%) versus kitchen (90%) products and shared take-home recycling kits and leaflets with tips, along with other amplification tactics.

WBA supplier agreements specify that suppliers must meet regulatory requirements for the labelling of ingredients on its own brand products. Under the minimum standard requirements, new and refreshed WBA-owned brand items must be reviewed to carry a How2Recycle label for US products or an On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) for UK products.

WBA also works with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition on implementing the How2Recycle label on an increasing number of products. These labels provide customers with clear advice on how to recycle.

In the UK, WBA has representation on the OPRL technical advisory committee, working on industry-wide labelling solutions. Through its minimum sustainability requirements and labelling standards, Boots and the No7 Beauty Company have mandated the use of "Do Not Flush" labelling on products which have the highest risk of being inappropriately flushed.