Company’s ESG report highlights progress in oral-health education, scholarships, financial inclusion, water conservation and sustainable manufacturing
MUMBAI (India CSR): Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited strengthened its social and environmental initiatives during FY 2025–26, reaching 11 million children and their families through oral-health education while accelerating renewable energy, water conservation and circular packaging efforts. According to the company’s Annual and ESG Report 2025–26, Colgate India also empowered approximately 300,000 beneficiaries through its education and environmental sustainability programmes. Its community initiatives remain aligned with the Colgate 2030 Sustainability and Social Impact Strategy.
Oral-health movement reaches 4.5 million Indians
The Colgate Oral Health Movement enabled more than 4.5 million people across 700 districts to access technology-supported oral-health screenings. The initiative used an artificial intelligence-powered screening tool to provide dental scores and personalised guidance. The programme was backed by a network of more than 50,000 dental professionals associated with the Indian Dental Association. The findings indicated that 72% of screened individuals faced a high risk of at least one oral-health concern.
Colgate’s flagship Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme reached 11 million children and their families across 35,000 schools during FY 2025–26. Since its launch in India in 1991, the initiative has engaged 195 million children and families through education covering brushing practices, nutrition and tobacco prevention.
Scholarships support students across India
The Keep India Smiling Education Scholarship Programme supported more than 1,000 students across 269 districts in 28 states during the year. Sixty per cent of the selected scholars represented diverse groups, while 55% came from families earning below Rs. 2 lakh annually. Half of the scholarships were awarded to aspiring dental professionals. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has supported more than 8,300 scholars.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Buddy4Study India Foundation and combines financial assistance with digital learning and skill-development opportunities.
Women and PwDs gain digital capabilities
Colgate India’s digital and financial literacy initiative trained more than 380 Digital Sakhis during FY 2025–26. These community-level facilitators helped over 100,000 beneficiaries participate more confidently in the digital economy. The programme also delivered financial and digital literacy sessions to 366 persons with disabilities. Government welfare scheme linkages worth more than Rs. 435 crore were facilitated through the wider initiative.
Since 2021, the programme has reached over 237,000 beneficiaries across more than 650 villages. It is implemented with Seva Mandir, Haqdarshak and NIIT Foundation.
Renewable energy and water stewardship advance
Renewable sources accounted for 50.38% of the total energy consumed across Colgate India’s manufacturing plants during FY 2025–26. The company reported that 60% of its electricity came from renewable sources. Colgate India said operational carbon emissions had declined by 43% against the FY 2020–21 baseline. It aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
All four company-owned manufacturing plants retained platinum-level TRUE certification for zero waste. The company also maintained 100% plastic-waste collection under India’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework, while 95% of its packaging by weight was recyclable. Colgate India remained water-positive at the country level. It replenished more than 17,941 kilolitres of rainwater at operational locations during the year. Since 2018, its CSR programmes have replenished 460 million litres of water across Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
