Sustainability

Only companies that build sustainability into the way they do business will have enduring success. Our business relies on natural resources such as wood fiber, energy and water. It is clearly in our best interest to design products and manufacturing processes that conserve these resources and secure their availability for the future.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts at www.kimberly-clark.com.
Below are some of the FAQs

• What types of trees are used to manufacture Kleenex^® Facial Tissue?
  Selected tree species, including spruce, fir, aspen, maple and eucalyptus contain thin wood fibers which contribute to the desirable characteristics of softness, absorbency and strength in Kleenex^®
• Can Kleenex^® Facial Tissue boxes be recycled?
  Our cartons are fully recyclable with the poly insert attached. They are accepted at recycling facilities across the country.
• Where do we get our pulp?
  High-quality Kleenex^® tissue requires high-quality cellulose fibers. Pulp is purchased from a number of different sources. Approximately 10 percent of the pulp used is supplied by Kimberly-Clark's own pulp mills. Kimberly-Clark does not own any forestlands but requires that all fiber purchased for our pulp mills come from sustainably managed forests. Select wood is either transported to the pulp mill in the form of chips from lumber processing or as logs. The logs are washed, debarked and cut into small, uniform chips. Individual cellulose fibers are separated by "cooking" the wood. The pulp is then processed for manufacture into the final product.
• Is Kleenex^® Facial Tissue biodegradable?
  Kleenex^® tissue is made with biodegradable cellulose fibers. Because the tissue is made with an additive to make it strong, it will not break down as rapidly as bathroom tissue. Therefore, we suggest you discard Kleenex^® facial tissue in the trash.
• Does Kimberly-Clark have sustainability standards?
  Kimberly-Clark has long recognized the importance of corporate responsibility and integrated the concept of sustainability in our business practices. We published our first annual sustainability report in 2004, and the reports can be reviewed at http://www.kimberly-clark.com. From raw materials, our manufacturing processes, even our supply chain, we're building sustainability into every facet of how we work. This includes selecting suppliers that operate in a sustainable manner. To that end, we work hard to assure that the wood fiber we purchase comes only from well-managed forestlands or from recycled sources.
• Is conservation a priority for Kimberly-Clark?
  At Kimberly-Clark, we take concern for the environment and conservation of natural resources seriously. In 2009, the Kimberly-Clark Foundation donated $400,000 to environmental causes and $550,000 over the last three years to Conservation International (CI) for a biodiversity conservation project. The project will have environmental benefits for the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, a major global pulp producing region that provides 30 percent of our fiber.
• Are any responsible forestry practices in place?
  Kimberly-Clark has one of the most progressive fiber procurement policies in the tissue industry. We support forestry practices that help conserve valuable forestlands, respect fundamental human rights and ensure both a thriving ecosystem and a sustainable source of wood fiber for the future. In fact, K-C was the first major tissue company to set the goal of purchasing 100 percent of our wood fiber from suppliers that gain independent certification of their woodlands or their fiber procurement activities.
• Why are Kleenex^® Brand Hand Towels necessary? Aren't my cloth towels acceptable?
  Kleenex^® Brand Hand Towels offer a hygienic option for our consumers by providing an alternative to traditional cloth bathroom hand towels. Kleenex Hand Towels-- a clean, fresh towel every time^™
• Can I recycle the Kleenex^® Brand Products packages?
  Yes, you can recycle the carton at a facility that processes paperboard. For Additional Information on Kimberly-Clark's commitment to sustainability, please visit: http://www.kimberly-clark.com/our-company/sustainability.aspx