The Colgate-Palmolive Company has publicly established a commitment to TRUE certification for zero waste as part of its sustainability goals. This commitment built off of a long standing zero waste commitment embedded within the company’s environmental sustainability strategy, including the previous 2020 commitment to “halve our manufacturing waste sent to landfill per ton or product compared to 2010, working toward our goal of zero waste.” To help and support this policy a site Green Team was created with the support of the site senior leaders. This team looks into the site zero waste initiatives in great detail, and defines strategy and initiatives for the site to continue to maintain its TRUE certification for zero waste and improve its diversion rate.
To demonstrate its commitment to the environment, a natural organic system was created by using food waste to help propagate new foods for consumption, by those who generated the waste. The San Diego Warehouse implemented a garden to provide vegetables to be used in the on-site cafeteria. We began the process of returning the nutrients extracted from the soil by the plants during their growth, and then composting our organic waste from the internal cafeteria. We use about 36 kg of compost per year. The Food Garden is open for everyone to take care of and participate in the production of vegetables, while learning and understanding the natural cycle of waste into food. We estimate to produce about 116.8 kg of vegetables per year.
“By 2025, we aim to achieve 100% TRUE certification for our global operations, including manufacturing sites, technology centers, strategic offices and owned warehouses,” says Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer. “With enthusiastic teams, collaborative partners and this comprehensive approach to waste reduction, we’re confident we can make it happen.”
Learn more about Colgate's sustainability efforts.