CHICAGO (April 21, 2017) Hu-Friedy, a global leader in dental manufacturing, today announced its plans to promote earth-friendly initiatives in support of Earth Day, April 22nd,, with a focus on its dental instrument recycling program, Environdent.

The Hu-Friedy Environdent program, facilitates the ecologically responsible disposal of old dental instruments, regardless of brand, and rewards dental professionals with new Hu-Friedy instruments. Founded in 1995, Environdent is the longest running instrument recycling program in the dental industry, with over 32,000 offices participating throughout the US and Canada.

Over the last ten years of the Environdent program, dental practices have recycled 7.3 million instruments which equates to 260,000 pounds of material.

“Environdent began over 22 years ago, giving clinicians a solution for responsible instrument disposal, while rewarding them for making a positive contribution to the environment," says Ron Saslow, Chairman & CEO of Hu-Friedy. "We are proud to support the ecologically-minded clinicians who form the Environdent community and allow us to have a greater impact on the planet.”

As a company-wide initiative for Earth Day 2017, Hu-Friedy encouraged each internal department to submit ideas for maintaining a greener department. For every team submission, Hu-Friedy donated $100 to the World Wildlife Fund.

Joining the cause, children of Hu-Friedy employees participated by sharing their artistic take on what Earth Day means to them – with submissions that included poems and colorful drawings.

“Together, Hu-Friedy and dental practices across the country, can work side-by-side to leave a smaller carbon footprint through simple green initiatives,” says Patrick Bernardi, Chief Marketing Officer of Hu-Friedy. “Earth Day is a rallying point, but we hope that protecting the environment is a cause that is endless in its duration.”