DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has launched private label eco-friendly and sustainable oral care products, including bamboo toothbrushes and flossers made from a bio-based material that is a plastic alternative.

“Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues and our customers are looking for alternatives to disposable plastic products. We are seeing really great response from our customers, who want to reduce their environmental impact and are enthusiastic about eco-friendly options,” said Luke Rauch, Walgreens’ vice president for commercial strategy.

The toothbrushes, which come in packages of one or two, have a handle made of bamboo, a biodegradable, eco-friendly material, and BPA-free nylon charcoal infused bristles.

The flossers are made with bio-based material — including starch derived from corn and polypropylene — making them a more eco-friendly alternative for dental hygiene routines to help reduce plaque buildup and the risk of gingivitis.

These eco-friendly products are just part of Walgreens comprehensive work to have a positive impact on the environment. More about these efforts is in the Walgreens Boots Alliance 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which is online at walgreensbootsalliance.com/corporate-social-responsibility.

“Walgreens continues to evaluate our owned brand product portfolio in search of eco-friendly solutions. We are focused on creating items that are not only great quality for our customers, but environmentally conscious as well,” Rauch said.

The chain is also expanding its Complete Home line of eco-friendly and compostable tableware, following enthusiastic customer response in test markets. The line includes plates, hot and cold cups, and bowls, available chain-wide, and cutlery and paper straws in select markets. The eco-friendly products can be composted in commercial composting facilities.

Not only is Walgreens offering these compostable items, the company has also eliminated Styrofoam from its owned-brand household essentials product lines altogether.

“We have taken a stand and we are eliminating polystyrene. The compostable tableware items resonate with our customers and allow them to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s important for us to stay on top of market trends, especially as they relate to the environment,” Rauch said.