At GreenSnail, we believe that oral healthcare should not only care for people, but also for the planet we live on. The healthcare sector is responsible for nearly 7% of the Netherlands’ total CO₂ emissions. A significant share comes from dentistry, due to the intensive use of disposables and energy. This can – and must – be done smarter.
Our mission is clear: to make sustainability a natural part of dentistry. We help dental practices significantly reduce their ecological footprint. We do this with sustainable products such as CO₂-compensated nitrile gloves and face masks, offered at competitive prices and with reliable quality. But also with sustainability scans, training, and a certification mark that makes visible which practices truly take responsibility.
We believe that small, concrete steps lead to big impact. By reducing waste, lowering costs, and compensating CO₂ emissions, we build together toward a future-proof dental sector.
This way, the 8-year-old of today can grow up in a healthy world, and the 85-year-old of tomorrow can look back with pride.
GreenSnail – small steps, big impact.
“There are two people you should make proud in your life: your 8-year-old self, and your 85-year-old self. Not your parents, not your children — but you. As a child full of ideals, and as an elder full of wisdom.”
At Greensnail, our mission is to ensure we can look back at age 85 with satisfaction — knowing we didn’t just consume, but truly contributed to the health of people and the planet. Not just for ourselves, but for future generations — including the 8-year-old who is growing up today.
Greensnail is a Dutch consultancy and innovation agency for sustainability, founded by two passionate entrepreneurs with complementary backgrounds: Han Heesen, a dentist-entrepreneur with 18 years of experience in dental care, and Hoi Thien Man, a strategic manager with international experience in transformation at companies such as ABN AMRO, SONY, DHL and ASICS. Both combine entrepreneurial energy with a shared mission: to make the healthcare sector more sustainable, intelligent and future-proof.
Han Heesen earned his MBA from Nyenrode Business University with a thesis entitled “A Waste of Waste” — an investigation into the impact of disposables in dental care and how to reduce waste and CO₂ emissions through behavior change, product innovation and systemic reform.
According to recent figures, the Dutch healthcare sector is responsible for about 7% of the country’s CO₂ emissions, with dental care representing a growing share (RIVM, 2022). Every year, millions of disposables are used — nitrile gloves, covers, plastic cups and suction tips — most ending up as non-recyclable waste.
Greensnail is committed to structurally reducing the ecological footprint of healthcare, with a clear focus on dentistry. We provide:
Greensnail stands for action, substantiation and collaboration. Join us. Make your 85-year-old self proud. Together we care not only for people, but for the world they live in.
Curious how our initiative began and what drives us? Listen to our story below.
In this short audio pitch, we explain how Greensnail was founded and what inspired us to take action. Listen now and discover the story behind our mission.