WASHINGTON, DC, — Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced earlier this week a stronger fiber sourcing standard that will increase conservation of forests globally and will make the company a leader for sustainably produced tissue products. Greenpeace, which worked with Kimberly-Clark on its revised standards, announced that it will end its "Kleercut" campaign, which focused on the company and its brands.
   
"We are committed to using environmentally responsible wood fiber and today's announcement enhances our industry-leading practices in this area," said Suhas Apte, Kimberly-Clark Vice President of Environment, Energy, Safety, Quality and Sustainability. "It is our belief that certified primary wood fiber and recycled fiber can both be used in an environmentally responsible way and can provide the product performance that customers and consumers expect from our well-known tissue brands. We commend Greenpeace for helping us develop more sustainable standards."
   
Kimberly-Clark has set a goal of obtaining 100 per cent of the company's wood fiber for tissue products, including the Kleenex brand, from environmentally responsible sources. The revised standards will enhance the protection of Endangered Forests and increase the use of both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fiber and recycled fiber. By the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will ensure that 40 per cent of its North American tissue fiber is either recycled or FSC certified — a 71 per cent increase from 2007 levels that represents 600,000 tonnes of fiber.
   
"Today, ancient forests like the Boreal Forest have won," said Richard Brooks, Greenpeace Canada Forest Campaign Coordinator. "This new relationship
between Kimberly-Clark and Greenpeace will promote forest conservation, responsible forest management, and recycled fiber as far and wide as possible."
   
Also by the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will eliminate the purchase of any fiber from the Canadian Boreal Forest that is not FSC certified.
   
Furthermore, the revised standards reinforce Kimberly-Clark's long-standing ban on use of wood fiber from illegal sources; adds a preference for post-consumer recycled fiber; and supports expansion of recycling initiatives and the identification, mapping and protection of areas that have the potential to be designated as Endangered or High Conservation Value forests.
   
"These revised standards are proof that when responsible companies and Greenpeace come together, the results can be good for business and great for the planet," said Scott Paul, Greenpeace USA Forest Campaign Director. "Kimberly-Clark's efforts are a challenge to its competitors. I hope other companies pay close attention."

For more information visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

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