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 use. 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 minutes. 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 here.
