Colgate-Palmolive and World Champion Swimmer Michael Phelps team up to inspire a new generation to turn off the faucet

NEW YORK – In honor of Earth Day on April 22, Colgate^® is proud to announce that one of the most decorated athletes of all-time, swimmer Michael Phelps, is joining the company’s water conservation awareness effort as global ambassador. As Colgate continues its ongoing partnership with The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation organization to restore waterways in the U.S. and educate people about the importance of water, Michael Phelps will help raise awareness for the ‘Save Water’ program and inspire the next generation to take action.

Colgate is found in more than two-thirds of households around the world, more than any other brand, according to Kantar research, and nearly all Colgate products require consumer water use². By leaving the faucet on, the average American can waste up to four gallons of potable drinking water while brushing his or her teeth for two minutes¹. Together with Michael Phelps and The Nature Conservancy, Colgate’s 2017 mission is to reach 100 million people and inspire 10 million children to turn off the faucet while brushing, because every drop counts. If embraced broadly, this simple habit can be a powerful act of water and energy conservation.

“Water is the earth’s most precious resource, but without realizing it we often take it for granted,” Phelps said. “I’m committed to joining Colgate’s efforts to save water and encouraging the next generation to turn off the faucet. Our son Boomer turns one next month, so he isn’t brushing on his own quite yet, but we’ll teach him to as soon as he does!”As someone world-renowned for his connection to water, Phelps is proud to join Colgate as the global ambassador in this water conservation awareness initiative, appropriately kicking off during Earth Month. This summer, Phelps will introduce three short-form documentaries that convey water issues in the U.S., and rally his and his family’s followers on social media to spread this important message that every drop counts. Colgate will also share this message with children, teachers and families through its award-winning Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^® oral health education program.“Colgate is committed to making every drop of water count,” said Lori Michelin, vice president of sustainability & EHS at Colgate-Palmolive. “We work consistently to reduce our water-use footprint and have avoided enough water consumption in manufacturing to fill nearly 20,000 competition-sized swimming pools since 2002. That said, 90 percent of Colgate’s current water-use footprint comes from consumer use of our products, so we’re asking everyone to help.”

In addition to turning off the faucet while brushing, individuals can spread awareness using #EveryDropCounts on social media and by learning more at http://everydropcounts.colgate.com/.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Hill’s Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s web site at colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate’s global oral health education program, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^™, please visit colgatebsbf.com.

About Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, capturing a total of 28 medals including a record-setting 23 gold medals, over the course of five Olympic Games. Phelps utilized his performance bonus for winning eight gold medals at 2008 Beijing Games to establish the Michael Phelps Foundation. Committed to growing the sport of swimming, the Foundation addresses the need for water-safety through its signature program – im – available through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics International. The most decorated swimmer in World Championships history, Phelps launched his own competitive swimwear brand – MP – in partnership with Aqua Sphere in 2014. He has published two autobiographies – No Limits: The Will to Success and Beneath the Surface – that were New York Times and USA Today best sellers, as well as published one children’s book – How to Train with a T-Rex and Win Eight Gold Medals. He is a highly regarded inspirational speaker, sharing his message of “Dream, Plan, Reach” with audiences ranging from children to business executives.

About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in more than 65 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

¹ https://www.epa.gov/watersense/bathroom-faucets
² https://www.kantarworldpanel.com/brand-footprint-ranking/#/

Join @MichaelPhelps & @Colgate, please turn off the faucet when you brush. #EveryDropCounts

Sources: Colgate-Palmolive, Michael Phelps & The Nature Convervancy