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Procter & Gamble vs Colgate: Household Brands, Opposite Ethics
You probably have products from both companies in your bathroom right now. Tide and Crest from P&G. Colgate toothpaste and Palmolive soap from Colgate-Palmolive.
On ethics, they diverge more than you would expect.
The Comparison
| Value | P&G | Colgate |
|---|---|---|
| Honest & Fair Business | -10 | -10 |
| Fair Pay | 0 | 0 |
| Planet-Friendly | -20 | -10 |
| Safe & Smart Tech | -10 | 0 |
| Better Health | 0 | +20 |
| Kind to Animals | -30 | -20 |
| Respect for Cultures | -20 | -10 |
| Fair Trade | 0 | -40 |
| Zero Waste | -20 | -20 |
| No War, No Weapons | 0 | 0 |
| Average | -2 | -7 |
P&G's Surprise: Weapons
P&G currently scores 0 on No War, No Weapons. A soap company scoring -50 on weapons is not intuitive. The score reflects P&G's industrial chemicals division and documented supply relationships with military contractors. P&G's portfolio includes industrial cleaning and chemical products that serve government and defence applications.
P&G scores -10 on Honest & Fair Business and -20 on Planet-Friendly Business, reflecting stronger corporate governance and more credible environmental programs.
Colgate's Problem: Animals and Climate
Colgate scores -20 on Kind to Animals and -10 on Planet-Friendly Business. The animal welfare score reflects documented animal testing practices. Colgate-Palmolive has been flagged by animal welfare organisations for ongoing testing in markets where it is not legally required.
The -10 on Respect for Cultures & Communities and -40 on Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing add supply chain concerns, particularly around palm oil sourcing and community impact in sourcing regions.
Different Failures
P&G is better overall but carries a weapons score that no consumer would expect. Colgate is worse overall and fails hardest on animal welfare -- awkward for a company whose products go in your mouth.
Same bathroom shelf. Different ethical footprint.
Compare P&G and Colgate on Mashinii.