Reckitt celebrates Earth Day 2026 as leaders converge in Hull for sustainability showcase

Leading voices in global sustainability united in Hull as our Founding Partner Reckitt celebrated Earth Day 2026.

Reckitt hosted a celebration and sustainability conference which brought together speakers from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), non-profit organisation the Earthworm Foundation and partners including Hull City Council and the University of Hull.

The event saw leaders from science, industry and the community converge to discuss sustainability in all of its forms, and how innovation is nurturing a greener future for our planet.

Topics ranged from water – the world’s most valuable resource – and sustainable supply chains, to how staff engagement is critical as SMEs strive for sustainable growth.

For Reckitt, the conference was a showcase of the sustainable culture embedded across the organisation, and the environmental initiatives which are helping shape the global leader in health and hygiene.

Matt Dass, left, Managing Director of Springfield, with Martin Budd, Climate Change Manager at Hull City Council.

Speaking at the conference on the subject of water, the WWF’s Head of Partnerships Holly Gray said: “Water is finite. It is the foundation of human life, and the planet’s most valuable resource.

“Water makes money flow and makes the world go round. Protecting our ecosystems is of vital importance for life. If we protect our supply of water, we protect human health, nature and global economies.”

Joining Holly on stage at Reckitt’s Science and Innovation Centre in Hull was Katie Kenrick, Global Lead (Human Rights) at the Earthworm Foundation, who shared a number of collaborative projects with Reckitt which are supporting farmers and communities in countries including Thailand and South Africa.

Representing the Humber region was Matt Dass, Managing Director of Springfield, who shared the Hull-based digital printing and reprographics specialist’s journey from climate awareness to action.

Matt shared the company’s progress so far to both measure and reduce its carbon footprint, and how empowering staff with knowledge and understanding of the climate crisis has been key to the success so far.

Holly Gray, Head of Partnerships at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

He said “showing people the impact of non-action” to combat climate change had inspired positive behavioural change across the business, which had resulted in cost savings through energy efficiency and given Springfield a competitive edge as a more sustainable company.

Following on from Matt was Martin Budd, Hull City Council’s Climate Change Manager, who provided a city-wide perspective and highlighted ongoing projects in Hull which will help mitigate flood risk, reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security.

Giving a fitting analogy for rising global temperatures, Martin said: “For context, think of the human body. If your temperature rises by one degree Celsius, you’ll feel pretty lousy, and you’ll probably go out and buy some of the health products which Reckitt produces in this very building.

“The IPCC has set out two degrees Celsius as an upper limit for global warming compared to pre-industrial levels. With a 1.5 degrees Celsius rise, the risk of heatwaves and extreme rainfall events increases.”

Students from Hull’s Ron Dearing UTC were among those at the Earth Day celebration event.

The power of partnership to drive sustainable change was highlighted by the University of Hull’s Linda Wicker, who shared projects with kitchen retailer Wren and Hull Truck Theatre which have helped the organisations measure and reduce their environmental impact.

The conference featured an exhibition of pop-up stalls with activities, themed games and a chance to meet key partners and organisations all united by sustainability. Schools and colleges from across Hull and East Yorkshire were invited to attend, with the aim to inspire the next generation of sustainability leaders and champions.

Outside, an EV roadshow featured some of the latest electric vehicles to reach the market, spotlighting the future of sustainable transport.

Earth Day first launched in 1970 to highlight collective action, climate education and the transition away from fossil fuels. 

Today, the organisation works with more than 150,000 partners in 192 countries to drive positive action for the planet.

·       For more information on Earth Day, visit www.earthday.org/earth-day-2026/.