A cleaner, healthier environment is important to Colgate® not only because it’s the right thing to do but also because it makes good business sense.
Our Core Value of Continuous Improvement supports our long-term environmental goals, which go beyond simply complying with environmental regulations. For example, we have improved our water and energy use efficiency, reduced waste and wastewater contaminants, eliminated excess packaging and have maintained an active worldwide Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety (EOHS) audit program. Principles guiding Colgate’s worldwide EOHS program are part of Colgate’s Global EOHS Policy Statement, which applies worldwide to all Colgate facilities. Contract manufacturers and suppliers must abide by the Code of Conduct as well as meet requirements in our Contract Manufacturer and Supplier selection process. Colgate’s Director of Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety is the senior Colgate person responsible for EOHS performance. This Director reports to Colgate’s Global Technology Group, and Colgate’s Board of Directors is kept informed of progress and initiatives regularly.
In our ever-changing world, Colgate® places high priority on operating in a responsible and respectful manner. These efforts have led to increased efficiencies and financial advantages for the Company. We know that there is still much to be accomplished. Our ongoing strategy to reduce our environmental footprint will remain an integral part of producing, packaging, distributing and marketing our products.
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Read below for a few examples of our principles in action:
Sustainability in Our Office Workplace
Beginning in 2005, Colgate North America has partnered with a woman-owned furniture remanufacturer when remodeling office interiors. Instead of purchasing new office workstations, Colgate uses refurbished office furniture, reducing the amount of solid waste, the environmental impact and the costs associated with an office remodel. When offices in New York, Atlanta, Canada and Hill’s Pet Nutrition were remodeled, more than 750 workstations were refurbished.
Awarded for Environmental Performance in Mexico
Colgate-Palmolive Mexico was the first company in Mexico ever to receive a tax incentive based on its outstanding environmental performance at its Mexico City facility in 2006. Based on verified improvements in water reuse, materials recycling, efficient use of energy and reduction in air emissions, the tax incentives resulted in a $450,000 per year savings for Colgate.
Awarded LEED Certification in Tennessee
In the US, Colgate’s new manufacturing facility in Morristown, TN was awarded a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in 2008. 
LEED is an independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. The symbol demonstrates that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work. To support energy efficiency in other regions, Colgate uses LEED as a guidance tool and has developed an “Energy Efficiency and Green Building” guideline for use in designing Colgate’s newest state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Europe, the US and Asia.
