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Colgate-Palmolive
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==Recent years== In 2005, Colgate sold the under-performing brands Fab, Dynamo, Arctic Power, ABC, [[Cold Power]] and [[Fresh Start (detergent)|Fresh Start]], as well as the license of the [[Ajax (cleaning product)|Ajax]] brand for laundry detergents in the [[US]], Canada and [[Puerto Rico]], to [[Phoenix Brands]], LLC as part of its plan to focus on its higher margin oral, personal, and pet care products.<ref name="Colgate-Palmolive-Jul-2005-8-K">{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1314/119312505140902/filing-main.htm |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Jul 12, 2005 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522052903/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1314/119312505140902/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://promomagazine.com/news/colgate-palmolive_sells_071305/ |title=Colgate-Palmolive Sells Detergents to Phoenix Brands |access-date=February 24, 2009 |publisher=PROMO Magazine |date=July 13, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130052034/http://promomagazine.com/news/colgate-palmolive_sells_071305/ |archive-date=January 30, 2009 }}</ref> In 2006, Colgate-Palmolive announced the intended acquisition of [[Tom's of Maine]], a leading maker of natural toothpaste, for US$100 million.<ref name="Colgate-Palmolive-Apr-2006-10-Q">{{cite web |url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2905/0001193125-06-093176.pdf |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Apr 28, 2006 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051311/http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2905/0001193125-06-093176.pdf |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}</ref> Tom's of Maine was founded by [[Tom Chappell]] in 1970. In 2020, Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hello Products LLC, one of the fastest-growing premium oral care brands in the United States, for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Colgate-Palmolive_acquires_subscription_oral_care_brand_Hello_Products/161815|title=Colgate-Palmolive acquires subscription oral care brand Hello products|first=Becky|last=Bargh|work=Cosmetics Business|date=January 28, 2020|access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> Today, Colgate has numerous subsidiary organizations spanning 200 countries, but it is publicly listed in three: the United States, India, and Pakistan. On October 25, 2012, the company announced it would cut 2,310 workers, or 6% of its workforce, by the end of 2016 in a push to make the consumer products company more efficient.<ref name="Colgate-Palmolive-Oct-2012-8-K">{{cite web |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1028/115752312005370/filing-main.htm |title=Colgate-Palmolive, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Oct 25, 2012 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522043237/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1028/115752312005370/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2013 }}</ref> The company ranked 184th on the 2018 [[Fortune 500]] list of the largest United States corporations by revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/list|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2018: Who Made the List|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=November 22, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502115903/http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2021, the company ranked 15th on the list of Most Trusted Brands by [[Morning Consult]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shelley |first=Jonathan |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Report names Google 'most trusted brand' |url=https://wpta21.com/2021/04/20/poll-names-google-most-trusted-brand/ |access-date=June 3, 2021 |publisher=[[WPTA|WPTA 21]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603072927/https://wpta21.com/2021/04/20/poll-names-google-most-trusted-brand/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ===Educational and community involvement=== In 1890, Madison University in New York State was renamed [[Colgate University]] in honor of the Colgate family following decades of financial support and involvement.<ref name="americana">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Colgate University |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia Americana |publisher=The Encyclopedia Americana Corporation|year=1918|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2cMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250}}</ref> The Colgate-Palmolive Company has sponsored a non-profit track meet open to women of all ages called the [[Colgate Women's Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colgategames.com|title=Colgate Women's Games|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216213512/http://www.colgategames.com/|archive-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> The Colgate Women's Games is the nation's largest amateur track series open to all girls from elementary school through college. Held at [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Pratt Institute]], competitors participate in preliminary meets and semi-finals over five weekends throughout January. Finalists compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company at New York City's [[Madison Square Garden]] in February. For more than 20 years, the company supports the [[Starlight Children Foundation]] which is a non profit organization dedicated to help seriously ill children and their families. The mission is to help children to cope with pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, family activities and education. The Colgate website has resources for children including educational tooth brushing songs and animated videos featuring their former animated mascot Dr. Rabbit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health-education/educational-resources|title = Educational Resources}}</ref> ===Ethics=== In 2011, Colgate-Palmolive was one of the first companies recognized by [[PETA]] (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) under the new "working for regulatory change" category for companies that test on animals only when mandated by government regulations and are actively seeking alternatives to animal testing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/news-releases/Colgate-Palmolive-Company-Tops-PETA-s-New-List-Recognizing-Companies-Working-to-End-Government-Mandated-Tests.aspx |title=Colgate-Palmolive Company Tops PETA's New List Recognizing Companies Working to End Government-Mandated Tests |access-date=May 31, 2012 |publisher=peta.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828034633/http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/news-releases/Colgate-Palmolive-Company-Tops-PETA-s-New-List-Recognizing-Companies-Working-to-End-Government-Mandated-Tests.aspx |archive-date=August 28, 2012 }}</ref> This relates to the corporation's decision to continue to participate in the profitable Chinese market, where some animal testing is still a regulatory requirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/campaigns/choosingcrueltyfree |title=Choosing Cruelty Free |access-date=July 13, 2014 |publisher=[[Humane Research Australia|HRA]] |date=July 13, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714161305/http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/campaigns/choosingcrueltyfree |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> Other companies have chosen to decline entry to this market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3961153.htm |title=Body Shop withdraws products from China over animal testing |access-date=July 13, 2014 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] |date=March 11, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140808/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s3961153.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> In 2006, Colgate-Palmolive acquired an 84% stake in [[Tom's of Maine]].<ref name="Colgate-Palmolive-Apr-2006-10-Q"/><ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |title=Colgate expands reach of quirky toothpaste |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-03-21-colgate-toms_x.htm |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company|Gannett Co. Inc.]] |date=March 22, 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604020002/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-03-21-colgate-toms_x.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2012 }}</ref> In 2011, the company chose to retain the use of the antibacterial agent [[triclosan]] in its market-leading Total toothpaste range, despite withdrawing it from several other product ranges, following concerns about triclosan's impact on health and the environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adage.com/article/news/colgate-triclosan-total-toothpaste-brand/148408/ |title=Colgate Keeps Triclosan in Its $1B Total Brand |access-date=January 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110121092053/http://adage.com/article/news/colgate-triclosan-total-toothpaste-brand/148408/ |archive-date=January 21, 2011 }}</ref> As of January 2024, Ethical Consumer website states that "Our research highlights several ethical issues with Colgate-Palmolive, including its approach to palm oil, supply chain management, climate change, excessive pay, tax, human rights, and animal testing. It scored our worst rating across all of these categories."<ref name="ethicalconsumer.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/company-profile/colgate-palmolive-co | title=How ethical is Colgate-Palmolive Co? | Ethical Consumer | date=May 13, 2018 }}</ref> ===Environmental record=== Colgate-Palmolive received the 2012 [[Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-23-12.html|title=NIOSH and NHCA present 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™|publisher=Center for Disease Control|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103072505/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-23-12.html|archive-date=January 3, 2015}}</ref> As a successor to [[Mennen|the Mennen Company]], Colgate-Palmolive was reported in 2017 as one of about 300 companies held potentially responsible for [[hazardous waste]] at the [[Chemsol]] federal [[Superfund site]] in [[Piscataway Township, New Jersey|Piscataway]], [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/settlement-clears-way-continued-funding-new-jersey-superfund-cleanup |title=Settlement Clears Way for Continued Funding of New Jersey Superfund Cleanup |date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |publisher=US Department of Justice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504013225/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/settlement-clears-way-continued-funding-new-jersey-superfund-cleanup |archive-date=May 4, 2017 }}</ref> Their involvement in this site may have contributed to the [[contamination]] of an estimated {{convert|18500|cuyd|m3}} of soil with [[volatile organic compounds]] (VOCs), [[polychlorinated biphenyl|PCBs]], and [[lead]] off-site. A proposed $23 million agreement with the government and state of New Jersey would require Colgate-Palmolive and the other involved companies to pay for the cleanup of this hazardous waste that is contaminating the soil as well as the [[groundwater]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Colgate_Palmolive_Company |title=Colgate Palmolive Company - Knowmore.org |access-date=February 25, 2009 |publisher=Knowmore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307135548/http://www.knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Colgate_Palmolive_Company |archive-date=March 7, 2009 }}</ref> In 2019, [[BreakFreeFromPlastic]] cited Colgate-Palmolive as one of the world's top ten plastic polluters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90425011/coca-cola-nestle-and-pepsico-are-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-polluters-again|title=Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo are the world's biggest plastic polluters—again|last=Segran|first=Elizabeth|date=November 1, 2019|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Previously, Colgate-Palmolive had committed to 100% recyclability of plastics in packaging across all its product categories by 2025 but made no commitment to reducing the use of virgin plastic in packaging.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investor.colgatepalmolive.com/news-releases/news-release-details/colgate-palmolive-commits-recyclability-plastics-all-packaging-0|title=Colgate-Palmolive Commits to Recyclability of Plastics in All Packaging|website=Colgate-Palmolive Company|language=en|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> A 2021 report by Global Witness, updated in 2022, stated that Colgate-Palmolive had used palm oil suppliers connected to bribery, brutalisation of villagers and child labour in Papua New Guinea.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/true-price-palm-oil/ | title=The true price of palm oil }}</ref> In 2021, the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) gave Colgate-Palmolive a score of "F" on their "scorecard" keeping track of deforestation and human rights abuses.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/press-releases/major-brands-and-banks-failing-to-stop-deforestation-and-human-rights-abuses-new-scorecard-finds/ | title=Major Brands and Banks Failing to Stop Deforestation and Human Rights Abuses, New Scorecard Finds }}</ref> In August 2021, Colgate-Palmolive publicly disclosed the "forest impact of its palm oil supply chain in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra", showing the impact on the rainforests and the indigenous people who live there.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/press-releases/colgate-palmolive-forest-impact/ | title=Colgate-Palmolive Discloses Impact of Supply Chain on Forests and Communities }}</ref> In November 2023, Colgate-Palmolive received a "D-" on their RAN scorecard.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ran.org/the-understory/big-brands-show-little-sign-of-progress-2023/ | title=Big Brands Show Little Sign of Progress in Our 2023 'Keep Forests Standing' Scorecard - the Understory }}</ref> In relation to climate change, in June 2023, Planet Tracker stated that Colgate-Palmolive "is on a path to missing its approved Science-based Targets emissions by a factor of 7 when optional indirect use emissions are excluded", it "provides 'no clear strategy' to mitigate its main source of emissions, namely, upstream Scope 3 activities" and its "climate engagement with its value chain has not resulted in positive results over the last half-decade, with the GhG emissions from key 'targeted' areas experiencing substantial growth."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://planet-tracker.org/colgate-palmolive-on-a-3oc-pathway-with-no-clear-strategy-for-scope-3-emissions/ | title=Colgate-Palmolive on a +3ºC pathway with 'no clear strategy' for Scope 3 emissions | date=June 8, 2023 }}</ref> Sustainability Beat stated in August 2023 that this puts their profits in jeopardy and risks [[greenwashing]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sustainability-beat.co.uk/2023/08/21/unilever-risk-emissions/ | title=Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive putting profits at risk through failure to tackle carbon emissions | date=August 21, 2023 }}</ref> In 2024, the website Ethical Consumer gave Colgate-Palmolive the worst possible rating for climate change, plastic use, and palm oil/deforestation. It received their best rating for avoiding toxic chemicals in its products.<ref name="ethicalconsumer.org"/> ===Corporate governance=== As of August 2023, members of the [[board of directors]] of Colgate-Palmolive are the following:<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Directors {{!}} Colgate-Palmolive |url=https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/who-we-are/board-of-directors |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=colgatepalmolive.com}}</ref> *Noel Wallace *John P. Bilbrey *Lisa M. Edwards *C. Martin Harris *Martina Hund-Mejean *Kimberly A. Nelson *Lorrie M. Norrington *Steve Cahillane *[[John T. Cahill (businessman)|John T. Cahill]] *[[Stephen Sadove]] ===Employment diversity=== Colgate-Palmolive was named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by ''[[Working Mother]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.workingmother.com/colgate-palmolive |title=Best Companies - Colgate-Palmolive |access-date=August 21, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824144428/http://www.workingmother.com/colgate-palmolive |archive-date=August 24, 2016 }}</ref> The 2012 [[Human Rights Campaign]] "report card" on American businesses gave Colgate an A for its support of diversity in the workplace. However, Ethical Consumer states that the company "published no standards for working hours and wages and no information about the outcomes of supply chain audits. There was no clear mechanism workers could use to make anonymous complaints and raise issues", and scores badly in their human rights category.<ref name="ethicalconsumer.org"/> === Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine === Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Colgate-Palmolive announced a suspension of imports and sales in Russia, limiting operations to essential health and hygiene products. The company also halted all capital investments, media, advertising, and promotional activities within the country. As of December 2024, Colgate-Palmolive's current operational status in Russia remains unspecified.<ref name="ColgatePalmoliveRussia2022">{{cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=Colgate-Palmolive to sell only essential health, hygiene products in Russia |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/colgate-palmolive-to-sell-only-essential-health-hygiene-products-in-russia-122031200186_1.html |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Business Standard}}</ref>
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