NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Colgate-Palmolive Company has been named to Fast Company’s 2021 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for developing a first-of-its-kind recyclable plastic tube and openly sharing this technology with third parties. Fast Company’s prestigious annual recognition celebrates the organizations that are transforming industries, shaping society and making the most profound impact on both business and culture.
Colgate’s award-winning solution transformed rigid, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) — the same plastic used to make bottles — into soft, squeezable laminate tubes. Then Colgate experts worked with recycling associations to help to ensure alignment with existing standards so tubes could be recycled in the existing HDPE bottle stream.
The breakthrough is an accomplishment in itself, but the Company’s decision to share its technology sets a higher standard in the face of sustainability challenges. Colgate has shared the technology and its experience winning recognition from recycling associations in some 40 sessions — including packaging forums, industry conferences and one-on-one meetings with other companies. The campaign is having an impact: Since Colgate pioneered its breakthrough, most major tube-makers have followed with their own tubes.
The innovation is significant because until now tubes have been one of the most widely used forms of plastic packaging not suitable for recycling. Following Colgate’s pioneering work, which required more than five years of research, development and testing, all CPG companies can offer consumers tubes that are recyclable through existing channels.
Colgate’s recyclable toothpaste tubes are available under iconic brands such as Colgate Optic White and Tom’s of Maine in North America, Colgate Smile for Good in Europe and Asia, and Colgate Natural Extracts in Latin America. The tube is on-pace to be fully rolled out to all Colgate brands by 2025, when 100% of Colgate’s packaging is targeted to be recyclable, reusable and/or compostable.
“Colgate is a caring, innovative growth company dedicated to reimagining a healthier future. Our extraordinary teams work around the world to fulfill our purpose, and we are proud to see their efforts recognized for the essential benefits they bring to people, pets and the planet,” said Noel Wallace, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate-Palmolive.
With a brand that is found in more homes than any other, Colgate is leading and contributing to the circular economy. In addition to the recyclable tube innovation, the Company recently unveiled its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, which sets ambitious targets for reducing plastic waste, conserving water and improving oral health. By 2025, Colgate is targeting to eliminate unnecessary and problematic packaging, reduce the use of new plastics in packaging by one-third and make all packaging recyclable, reusable and/or compostable.
The Company is already beginning to deliver on these ambitious goals. In February 2021, Colgate launched Keep, a reimagined toothbrush with an aluminum handle and replaceable brush head that contains 80% less plastic than a similarly sized Colgate toothbrush.
The Fast Company recognition comes during a period in which the Company has earned numerous awards for its purpose-driven innovations, forward-thinking corporate culture and ongoing commitment to sustainability. Most recently, the Company was named to Fortune’s 2020 Change The World List, was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2021 and earned a spot on the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the fourth consecutive year.
Fast Company’s March/April 2021 World’s Most Innovative Companies issue featuring Colgate’s recognition is now available online, and it will be on newsstands beginning on March 16, 2021. To learn more about Colgate’s purpose-driven innovations, visit: https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/core-values/sustainability or https://www.linkedin.com/company/colgate-palmolive/.
About Colgate-Palmolive:
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, the Company sells its products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands, such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA Skin, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. The Company is recognized for its leadership and innovation in promoting environmental sustainability and community well-being, including its achievements in saving water, reducing waste, promoting recyclability and improving children’s oral health through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than one billion children since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com. CL-C
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release, including our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements are made on the basis of Colgate’s views and assumptions as of this time, and Colgate undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law. Colgate cautions investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual events or results may differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors. For information about factors that could impact Colgate’s business and cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, consult our filings with the SEC (including, but not limited to, the information set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q).
