For a cleaner, healthier world

At Reckitt, everything starts with our purpose. We exist to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. Every day Reckitt’s brands – such as Dettol, Lysol, Durex, Vanish, and Finish – are working across the globe to support people to lead cleaner, healthier lives.

We are seized by the urgency of the environmental, health and social challenges the world now faces. Progress has been made towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals but nowhere near enough.

Today, we are proud to announce our new sustainability strategy, For a Cleaner, Healthier World, backed by more than £1bn in existing investment over the next 10 years.

Our 2030 ambitions build on the progress we have already made. They are chosen to reflect the areas where we can maximise our positive and enduring impact – supported by specific targets and metrics to drive disciplined execution across the business. Commitments are made not to attract short-term headlines, but to be delivered for the long-term health of people and the world we live in.

It is our ambition to reach half the world with products that contribute to a cleaner, healthier world by 2030, and to engage 2bn people in programmes, partnerships and campaigns that will create a positive impact and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The strategy is focused on three areas of activity:

• Purpose-led brands –every one of our brands is directing its focus to where it can make most impact in accelerating progress to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Healthier planet – recognising the increasing connection between people’s health, halting climate change and protecting biodiversity
• Fairer Society – enabling a fair diverse and inclusive society as an employer and in our value chain

Most impactful is the difference we make on people’s lives through our purpose-led brands. Throughout the world, our brands are protecting, healing and nurturing - supporting child health, maternal health, sexual health; and protection from illness and disease.

We know the most pressing challenges will not be met in isolation but by working together with like-minded partners to drive real, sustainable change. Shared success creates greater impact. It is why we are excited to be the official Hygiene Partner for the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow, and why we have formed new partnerships with WWF and the Fair Rubber Association.

Our joint programme with WWF will focus on protecting freshwater sources, restoring wildflower habitats, uncovering new sustainable solutions for water conservation, and driving behaviour change to inspire millions of people in the fight for nature.

"WWF will share its expertise and knowledge of the natural world with Reckitt and jointly create new strategies to reduce the environmental impact across its business. Our intention is that this partnership serves as a positive example for industry, that it’s possible to be a commercial leader while protecting vulnerable ecosystems and the overall health of the planet.”

Coming together with the Fair Rubber Association is part of our commitment to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030. Our brand, Durex, will work with the Fair Rubber Association to source sustainable latex. The Fair Rubber programme aims to improve the working and living conditions of the producer of latex, while also promoting the environmentally production of rubber.

“Reckitt’s participation means that some 2,000 more small rubber farmers, tappers, and plantation workers will become part of Fair Trade in natural rubber and will receive a Fair Trade premium for the latex they produce. Since the Fair Rubber Association was established nine years ago, recipients of the Fair Trade premium have used it to invest in: their children’s education, housing, and surrounding communities.”

Our people are the drivers of how we fulfil our purpose and are central to the commitments we make. Our teams are reflective of the diverse markets where we work and the people we serve. An inclusive culture where everyone is treated equally, not just inside Reckitt but throughout our value chains; embedding human rights and fairness where we work is paramount. We foster a culture of performance where people have the freedom to succeed and thrive – where ideas flourish and the best talent comes together to play their part in meeting the huge social and environmental challenges the world faces.

We will continue to measure our progress on our journey towards a cleaner, healthier world to ensure we hold ourselves accountable for our progress. Doing the right thing for the world is our compass and the right thing for our business. Purpose-led innovation and sustainable growth in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world.