Colgate-Palmolive
TINA.org found Colgate-Palmolive deceptively marketing its Colgate and Tom’s of Maine toothpaste tubes as “recyclable” despite not being recycled in reality.
February 2016: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed.
December 2015: An objector filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the final approval of the settlement.
November 2015: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement.
June 2015: A federal judge preliminarily approved a settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive Company. The complaint, which was amended in May 2015, alleges that Colgate misleadingly markets Softsoap Antibacterial soaps as more effective at killing and eliminating germs than washing with other liquid hand soaps when such claims are not true. According to the settlement terms, the company agreed, among other things, to stop making certain statements (e.g., “Goodbye Germs – Hello World”) and not to describe the product as 99% effective without also disclosing the testing methods. The settlement does not provide the class members with any monetary relief (i.e., refunds). A final fairness hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2015. (In Re Colgate-Palmolive Softsoap Antibacterial Handsoap Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, Case No. 12-md-02320, D. NH.)
TINA.org found Colgate-Palmolive deceptively marketing its Colgate and Tom’s of Maine toothpaste tubes as “recyclable” despite not being recycled in reality.
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain a bacteria and may increase the risk of contracting invasive infections
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as safe and gentle whitening toothpastes when charcoal is abrasive to enamel and gums
Allegations: Falsely advertising toothpaste tubes as recyclable
Allegations: False natural claims
Allegations: False natural claims
Allegations: Falsely marketing toothpaste as “antiplaque” when none of the ingredients reduce, prevent or remove plaque
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing sunscreens as if the mineral ingredient zinc oxide is the only active ingredient
Allegations: Falsely advertising toothpastes as safe when charcoal is abrasive and causes damage to enamel and gums
Allegations: Failing to disclose products contain the carcinogen benzene
Allegations: False natural claims
Allegations: Deceptively using slack-filled containers
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that the antiperspirants fight yellow stains and do not leave white marks when an ingredient in them causes both
Allegations: Falsely advertising that antiperspirants fight yellow stains and white marks when the active ingredient causes both
August 2019: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of this case finding, among other things, that the complaint included enough details to meet the pleading requirements for…
In June 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Tom’s of Maine for allegedly falsely marketing Tom’s Toothpaste as natural when, according to plaintiffs, the toothpaste contains chemically processed ingredients.…
October 2019: The case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2934, E. D. MO.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Colgate-Palmolive for allegedly falsely…
October 2019: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-2710, E.D. Mo.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Colgate-Palmolive for allegedly falsely marketing…
In October 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Colgate-Palmolive Co. for allegedly falsely representing that Optic White toothpaste “Goes Beyond Surface Stain Removal to Deeply Whiten” teeth when, according…
Between February and July 2019, multiple class-action lawsuits were filed against Hill’s Pet Nutrition for allegedly misleadingly representing that several varieties of Hill’s® Science Diet® and Prescription Diet® canned dog…
June 2019: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s decision to deny class certification in the Dean case. December 2018: The Canale case was voluntarily dismissed When…
In May 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Colgate-Palmolive Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing Palmolive® Ultra Pure + Clear® dish detergents as being “hypoallergenic” and containing “No Unnecessary ingredients”…
October 2017: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have not been…
April 2017: This case was stayed pending the resolution of Dean v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., a similar lawsuit that was filed before this one. December 2016: A false advertising class-action lawsuit…
May 2015: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have not been…
April 2016: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. March 2016: A federal judge granted final approval of a settlement of this lawsuit. According…
In October 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Colgate-Palmolive and Tom’s of Maine for allegedly falsely marketing Tom’s of Maine products as “natural” when they actually have synthetic and…
August 2015: The claims in this lawsuit were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have…
March 2016: A federal judge granted final approval of a settlement in another false advertising class-action lawsuit against Tom’s of Maine that will also resolve the claims in this lawsuit.…
The bottom line? Toothpaste tubes aren’t generally getting recycled.
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Some of the worst ads TINA.org covered this year.
TINA.org has tracked more than 100 lawsuits alleging greenwashing.