Contigo
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
US brand of leak-proof travel mugs and water bottles.
There's no proof Contigo pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and India, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From product labels; Contigo doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Newell Brands does not publish where Contigo products are made or name its drinkware suppliers; Newell product data lists China as country of origin for Contigo travel mugs, and a 2019-2020 Canadian recall of Contigo kids' bottles named Hong Kong-based Kings Flair Development as the maker. Newell reported 396 social audits in 2025 and five resolved action plans on migrant labour and recruitment fees. Its code asks only for legal minimum wages, with no supplier list or living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Newell Australia Pty Limited is a reporting entity in Newell Brands' 2025 joint modern slavery statement. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Newell Brands publishes a modern slavery statement for 2025 (approved May 2026) covering its brands, including Australian entity Newell Australia Pty Limited. View |
| Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (World Benchmarking Alliance) | Not covered | Newell Brands' household goods sector is not among the sectors assessed in the 2026 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Newell Brands Form 10-K FY2025 · search the archive · Contigo is a Newell Outdoor and Recreation brand; significant sourcing from outside the US; no country breakdown
- Newell Brands 2025 Modern Slavery Statement (Australian register) · search the archive · Newell Australia is a reporting entity in Newell Brands' 2025 joint statement
- Expanded recall: Contigo Kids Cleanable Water Bottles (Health Canada) · search the archive · Recalled Contigo bottles listed as made by Kings Flair Development Ltd, Hong Kong
- Contigo - BIG W · search the archive · Contigo products sold online in Australia via BIG W marketplace sellers, not in store
- Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Travel Mug 24 oz (Newell product data) · search the archive · Contigo travel mug with country of origin listed as China
- Contigo Superior 2.0 Travel Mug 20 oz (Newell product data) · search the archive · Contigo travel mug with country of origin listed as China
Published by Contigo or its owner
- Newell Brands Modern Slavery and Supply Chain Transparency Statement (2025) · search the archive · 18,000+ suppliers in 90+ countries; 396 social audits in 2025; 5 action plans on recruitment fees; legal minimum wage code
Company details
- Owned by
- Newell Brands Inc. (USA)
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Contigo ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/contigo, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Contigo.