Tell me about your B Corp certification. What is it, and why is it important for driving sustainability and corporate responsibility?
Opella North America is proud to be the first, large, pure consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp certification, which measures an organization’s entire social and environmental impact. With products in nearly 54 million households in the U.S. and Canada – including Allegra, Icy Hot, Dulcolax and Unisom – our B Corp certification enables millions of people to take part in transforming business into a force for good.
The process is rigorous—it took us three years and hundreds of employee hours to complete, involving detailed questionnaires, audits, and on-site visits from the certifying non-profit organization, B Lab. We received the certification in July last year.
For Opella, B Corp certification not only reinforces our sustainability efforts and provides a framework for accountability and transparency but also helps identify areas where we need to push further.
How do consumers respond to sustainability in over-the-counter (OTC) products, especially when it comes to packaging?
Consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations, is increasingly driven by expectations that companies prioritize both their health and the health of the planet. While OTC purchases are often made out of immediate need—whether for allergies, digestive issues, or pain relief—consumers are becoming more conscious of the social and environmental impact of their purchases. At Opella, we’re working to ensure our products not only provide relief but also align with sustainability values.
One way we communicate this commitment is by featuring sustainability certifications, including B Corp, on our packaging and digital platforms. We’re also working to reduce our waste and carbon footprint, preserve natural resources, and power our operations with renewable energy – ensuring our consumers know we’re taking tangible steps to lessen our environmental footprint. Our mission is to build trust and loyalty by making sustainable healthcare choices easier for people.
Does sustainability help you stand out from your competition?
Absolutely. Being the first, large, pure consumer healthcare company to become a B Corp does set us apart, but more than that, we aim to influence the entire industry. Just this year, Opella Italy, Germany, Hispanic Latin America, and Western Europe (excluding France) became B Corps, as we work towards certifying all Opella business units globally. Historically, B Corp certifications were achieved by small to midsize companies. By gaining this certification, we’re demonstrating that even large multinationals can commit to meaningful, impactful sustainability efforts.
We’re not only striving for internal improvements but also working on collaborative solutions. For instance, we’re involved in industry-wide initiatives such as the Blister Pack Collective, alongside other healthcare companies, to address packaging challenges. Many OTC medications use blister packs, which are made of mixed materials, making them difficult to recycle. As an industry, we are working together to find sustainable alternatives.
Packaging seems to be a critical part of sustainability efforts. How is Opella addressing this issue?
Packaging is a huge challenge in sustainability, particularly in healthcare, where preserving product safety and efficacy is paramount.
One of our initiatives is to make 90% of our packaging on products wholly produced at our manufacturing sites recycle-ready by 2030. For example, we recently eliminated plastic windows from our allergy medication cartons, which saves 35 tons of plastic each year.
We’re also taking steps to educate consumers about recycling. All of our U.S. brand websites now include a dedicated recycling page, helping consumers understand what packaging components they can put in their curbside recycling bins. For hard-to-recycle items, we’ve partnered with TerraCycle to provide an interim solution while we continue to innovate. This national take-back program allows consumers to earn points for every shipment of waste they send back to TerraCycle, which can be redeemed for a donation to a school or charity of their choice.
Tell me about your partnership with Well+Good. How does it help raise awareness of your sustainability efforts?
Earlier this year, we partnered with Well+Good to engage consumers who may not be as familiar with B Corp certification but care deeply about health and wellness. Through an article on their platform, a pop-up, educational event at the House of Good, and influencer partnerships, we explained what B Corp means, why it’s important to purchase from B Corps, and highlighted Opella’s sustainability journey. The response has been encouraging, with many consumers expressing appreciation for our efforts to do more than just provide health solutions—they’re also reassured knowing our products contribute to a healthier world.
Looking ahead, where do you see Opella in 10 or 15 years in terms of sustainability?
Our vision for the future is to make healthcare radically simple, sustainable and accessible, while continuing to link the health of people to the health of the planet. We aim to break down the complexity around both healthcare and sustainability, helping ensure people feel confident in choosing products that are good for them and for the environment.
We will continue to recertify for B Corp every three years, maintaining our transparency and accountability. Beyond certification, we see education as key to our growth—informing, supporting, and empowering self-care and defining a whole new way to think about health – for our people, our communities, and our planet. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, Opella is honored and excited to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future.
