Through Colgate’s sponsorship, in 2013 Water For People will reach over 10,000 people with new community water and sanitation systems and health and hygiene education in both India and Guatemala. This project will go beyond sponsorship to true partnership: Colgate will implement our “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” dental health education program and handwashing education program in the schools that will be receiving clean water.

Water is one of life’s most basic needs, and it is essential for business growth as well. Water is an ingredient in many Colgate products, and is required in almost every phase of the product life cycle: from sourcing raw materials to producing products to consumer use of products. Colgate’s 2015 goal is to reduce the water consumed per unit of production in the manufacture of our products by 40% vs. 2005. We are on track, with a 30% reduction as of 2012.

Poor water conditions have an impact on the health and well-being of many rural communities in Africa. To help provide access to clean water, Colgate partnered with a local organization to install Play Pumps, merry-go-rounds that use the play of children to power water pumps. The children get access to new playground equipment and the community gets access to fresh, clean water. Colgate currently sponsors the maintenance of 20 pumps.

We’re committed to maintaining healthy and environmentally friendly workplaces that reduce energy, water and waste. When designing new manufacturing facilities, we use the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines and currently have seven (LEED-NC)-certified facilities with an additional four under construction. All of Colgate’s newly constructed facilities will be LEED-NC certified from now on.

As a consumer packaged goods company, we recognize the importance of reducing waste at every stage of the product life cycle, including at the end-of-life of our products. Colgate’s 2011 to 2015 goal is to reduce waste sent to landfills per unit of production from our operations by 15 percent. So far, we’ve reduced waste by 10 percent in the past two years. We’re also committed to responsible package design, and are working to increase the amount of recycled content and sustainable materials in our packaging to lessen their impact.

To celebrate Earth Day, more than six thousand Colgate people from 60 locations in Europe participated in a "Taking Steps to Make a Difference" competition to promote health and wellness. People worked in teams to walk as much as possible and record the number of steps they took each day. Once the goal of 50 million steps was reached, the team made a donation to a local charity.

Through Colgate’s flagship oral health initiative, “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” (BSBF), children in need receive free dental screenings and education to help build healthy habits, self-esteem and a foundation for success. Central America invited all employees to volunteer for BSBF and see first-hand the impact Colgate has on the community.

Colgate people from headquarters in New York City volunteered for the “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” program and helped teach children about the importance of oral health.

In Mumbai, India, nearly 60 percent of Colgate employees have signed up to teach children how to brush their teeth through the “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” (BSBF) program. This has allowed the BSBF program to reach an additional 100,000 local children.

Through the “Positive Step” program in India, the Company supports a group of children with HIV/AIDS by providing meals and sponsoring school fees. Employees also have an opportunity to donate to the program. Children who go through the program are healthier, more confident and progress better in school.

Colgate’s commitment to improving children’s oral health in underserved communities includes long-term partnerships with the National Dental Association (NDA) and the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA). Colgate’s support now includes a new partnership with the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID), which represents 41 Native American tribes. These partnerships include scholarships for dental students and research grants to dental schools.

Through the Hill’s “Food, Shelter & Love” program, the Company partners with animal shelters across the United States and provides Hill’s Science Diet pet food at a discount. Hear Nina’s story about how a shelter puppy find’s a family.

Through the Hill’s “Food, Shelter & Love” program, the Company partners with animal shelters across the United States and provides Hill’s Science Diet pet food at a discount. Hear what shelter employees have to say about the program.