Colgate-Palmolive Commits to Oral Health Education by 2030

Colgate-Palmolive has released its 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Report, marking the completion of its five-year strategy.

The company has confirmed it reached approximately two billion children and families with oral health education since 1991, meeting a target set in 2020.

The report introduces targets for 2030, extending commitments across health education, environmental protection and community investment.

According to the company, it contributed more than US$250m to communities where it operates throughout the 2020-2025 strategy period.

Oral health education targets

Colgate-Palmolive aims to reach 2.7 billion children and their families by 2030 through its Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme.

The initiative focuses on oral health education and wellbeing support for children and communities.

Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, says: "In 2020, we set out an ambitious and comprehensive Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy focused on priority actions and targets to accomplish by the end of 2025. We are proud of what we have achieved, but we know there is more work to do."

The company reached its 2025 target of engaging two billion children and families to improve oral health. This target was part of a broader effort to advance health and wellbeing in communities globally.

Consumer campaigns included messaging encouraging people to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth. These campaigns aimed to raise awareness of water conservation practices associated with daily oral care routines.

Colgate-Palmolive has entered into a multi-year collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Foundation to help integrate oral health into national health systems and to raise awareness of oral health as a public health priority.

The partnership will support the WHO Foundation's efforts to scale oral health prevention programmes, expand research and evidence-building initiatives, support governments and raise awareness of oral health among the general public.

Net zero emissions plan

Colgate-Palmolive targets net zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040. The company plans to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030, measured against a 2020 baseline.

The strategy includes commitments to source only deforestation-free and conversion-free palm oil, soy and paper-based packaging materials.

This could mean supply chain adjustments to ensure forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

For toothbrush packaging, the company is introducing recyclable paper options that reduce plastic use by 90-98% compared with previous plastic blister packaging.

The shift covers multiple product lines across global markets.

Colgate-Palmolive introduced a recyclable toothpaste tube in 2019. According to the company, the tube is now available in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Packaging material transitions

The company transitioned 98% of its toothpaste SKUs globally to the recyclable tube design. In North America, 97% of SKUs now use the recyclable format.

The 2030 strategy builds on the 2025 framework with adjusted targets. Ann told Sustainability Magazine: "As we look forward to 2030, we knew we had to make the targets that we were setting much smarter and more measurable.

"I like to say our 2030 strategy is an evolution, not a revolution, meaning we're building on the same platform that we strive for in 2025.

"We're increasing these targets, making them more measurable and making them more streamlined. We're driving even further, with a sharper focus, which is key."

The strategy includes work with partners to build supply chain resilience. According to Ann, this involves offering products designed to build consumer trust and loyalty.

"We will win as a business by generating growth with our innovations and building resilient systems with our partners, helping to ensure we have resources for the future. Finally, by building a healthy business that seeks to meet the needs of our stakeholders, we will continue working to achieve our targets, helping the planet win through our reduced environmental impact," Ann adds.