Hill's Pet Australia
OVERALL |
|
Owned |
USA |
Rating |
 |
Pet food
Company Ownership
| Hill's Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd | AUS | website | ||||
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. 
owns 100% of Hill's Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd |
USA | website | ||||
Pet food makers Makers of specialist pet food. Sold in over 90 countries. | ||||||
| Colgate-Palmolive Company
owns 100% of Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. |
USA | website | ||||
Personal care and cleaning products manufacturer Has operations in over 70 countries and sells its products in more than 200 countries. | ||||||
Company Assessment
| PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
| Hill's Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd | ||||
|
RSPCA Australia has an ongoing relationship with Hill's Pet Nutrition. Hill's provide food free-of-charge to all the animals housed in RSPCA shelters for adoption, and the company also sponsors the annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk. RSPCA Australia states on it's website 'Hill's parent company, Colgate-Palmolive, produces a range of other products that will, by law, require some animal testing. However, no specific concerns have been raised with RSPCA Australia about the treatment of animals by any Colgate-Palmolive company.'
Source: RSPCA Australia (2012) |
||||
| Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. | ||||
|
On their website, this company claims that they 'only use non-invasive, humane research methods necessary to develop nutritional technology'. However Hill's fails to appear on PETA's list of companion-animal food manufacturers who don't test on animals.
Source: company website (2012)
This article describes the conditions in Hill's 170-acre Pet Nutrition Center, where over 400 dogs and 400 cats live.
Source: The Whole Dog Journal (2012) |
||||
| Colgate-Palmolive Company | ||||
|
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2020)
In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company ranked joint first. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Greenpeace (2016)
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2020)
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2021 rankings the public identified 19 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 76th of 928 companies, and 2nd of 10 Personal Products companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2020)
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 81/100 in the Household Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2021)
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA), as using renewable energy for 90% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA (2020)
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests Score of B.
Source: CDP (2020)
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 assesses 173 companies on the commitments they have made, and the actions they have taken, to ensure that there is no destruction of nature including no deforestation along their supply chains; and support a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry beyond their own supply chain. This company is rated 'well on the path' with a score of 14.8 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021) |
In 2016 Greenpeace published a report on the progress towards zero deforestation in the palm oil supply chains of several multinational companies. Companies were assessed on three criteria: responsible sourcing, transparency and industry reform. This company was rated as 'failed promises'.
Source: Greenpeace (2016)
This company sources palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance.
Source: Greenpeace (2018)
In 2019 Break Free From Plastic engaged 72,541 volunteers in 51 countries to conduct 484 brand audits. These volunteers collected 476,423 pieces of plastic waste, 43% of which was marked with a clear consumer brand. This company ranked as one of the world's top 10 plastic polluters.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic (2019)
The Talking Trash 2020 report by Changing Markets investigates the corporate playbook of false solutions to the plastic crisis. It found that the industry is actively delaying and derailing ambitious action on plastic pollution in its fight to maintain business as usual for as long as possible. For example, this company is signed up to 3 nice-sounding voluntary initiatives to address plastic waste, while also participating in two industry associations which lobby against legislation that could restrict plastic, or make corporations responsible for managing the waste they create, financially or otherwise.
Source: Changing Markets (2020)
Rainforest Action Network's 2021 report and scorecard "Keep Forests Standing" assessed 17 brands and banks on their efforts to address their contribution to the destruction of forests, ongoing land grabs, and violence against local and Indigenous communities. This company was identified as one of the worst offenders, receiving an 'F' grade in the evaluation.
Source: RAN (2021)
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 34.9% (Weak).
Source: As You Sow (2019)
This company received a score of 10.1/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
In 2015 Colgate Palmolive bought an end to years of litigation by agreeing to hand over US$2 million to settle a class action suit over its Softsoap Antibacterial liquid soap. The multidistrict litigation alleged that Colgate Palmolive misled consumers with claims that the soap killed '99 percent of germs' thanks to key ingredient triclosan. The plaintiffs argued that Colgate's statement was deceptive and unfair as the antimicrobial pesticide has been proven to be no more effective at killing germs than regular soap and water.
Source: News article (2015)
This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies Working for Regulatory Change' list, that is, they conduct tests on animals only when required by law, are actively working for the replacement of animals with non-animal methods, and release to PETA all information about tests and what is done to avoid them.
Source: PETA (2018)
In 2019 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$24,055. The CEO was paid 463 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO (2020) |
This company uses plastic microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean where they contribute to ocean plastic pollution, and are hazardous to sea life. While the effects of microplastics on human health are not completely understood, there are concerns about plastic additives, such as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors which are shown to have harmful effects on life.
Source: Beat the Microbead (2021)
In March 1992 thousands of protesters took to the streets of Mexico City to protest against the polluting practices and excessive water consumption of the company's local factory. Demands for relocation of the plant to outside the city have been made by local officials amongst others and have so far been ignored. Talks with local citizens were called off in November 1991. (Noted here as 'additional information only' due to age of report).
Source: McSpotlight (1992)
During the apartheid years, Colgate had subsidiaries in South Africa and in 1990 had a 27% share in the South African detergents market. (Noted here as 'additional information only' due to age of report).
Source: McSpotlight (1992)
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning provides safety ratings for household cleaning products, with over 2,500 products rated from A (lowest concern) to F (highest concern). This company's score range is C to F, with over 83% of products scoring an F.
Source: Environmental Working Group (2020)
Consumer goods giants Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel and Procter & Gamble were fined 361 million euros by French regulators in Dec 2011 for fixing soap prices in France.
Source: news article (2011)
In Dec 2014 this company and 12 other consumer goods firms were fined a total of 951m euros by the French competition watchdog for price fixing in supermarkets. The regulator said the companies colluded on price increases between 2003 and 2006. This company was one of three who alerted the competition watchdog and therefore had a reduced fine.
Source: news article (2014)
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; remove commodity-driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020; improve water security.
Source: We Mean Business (2017)
This company was named in the Working Mother 100 Best Companies 2020 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies demonstrate progress in offering paid parental leave and opportunities to return to work gradually, as well as family-friendly benefits and opportunities for women to advance.
Source: Working Mother (2020)
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy (2019)
This company is a signatory to the US Plastics Pact, a collaborative effort organized by The Recycling Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund, launched as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's global Plastics Pact network to unify diverse public-private stakeholders across the plastics value chain to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path forward to realize a circular economy for plastic in the United States. In line with the Ellen McArthur Foundation's vision of a circular economy for plastics, which unites more than 850+ organizations, the US Plastics Pact brings together companies, government entities, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to work collectively toward scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges within the U.S. landscape, through vital knowledge sharing and coordinated action.
Source: US Plastics Pact (2020)
This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3 (2019)
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle (2020)
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
Source: Sustainability Consortium (2019)
The Forest 500 identifies, ranks, and tracks the governments, companies and financial institutions worldwide that together could virtually eradicate tropical deforestation. Rankings are based on their public policies and commitments and potential impacts on tropical forests in the context of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soy, beef, leather, timber and paper). This company received a score of 55%.
Source: Forest 500 (2020)
Ethical Consumer has ranked companies' practices and policies in relation to their palm oil sourcing for the Rainforest Foundation/Ethical Consumer palm oil campaign. This company received a 'yellow' rating.
Source: Rainforest Foundation UK (2016)
As You Sow's 2020 report, Waste and Opportunity, ranks companies on plastic packaging pollution. The study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution: 1) Packaging Design, 2) Reusable Packaging, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Packaging Data Transparency, 5) Support for Recycling, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of C+
Source: As You Sow (2020)
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: Modern Slavery Registry (2017)
Skin Deep is an online safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns, with over 75,000 products rated from 1 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard).
Source: Environmental Working Group (2019)
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)
This company received a score of 59.2/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017) |
||
Company Details
| Type | Wholly-owned subsidiary |
Contact Details
| Address | PO Box 1003, Macquarie Park, NSW, 1670, Australia |
| Phone | 02 8875 1600 |
| Freecall | 1800 679 932 |
| customer_service_australia_hillspet@hillspet.com | |
| Website | www.hillspet.com.au |