February, 13 2009, 12:03pm EDT
Unlucky 13 for Kleenex and Kimberly-Clark
Purchase College Joins the Growing University Movement against Kimberly-Clark Due to its Environmentally Destructive Forest Practices
PURCHASE, NY
This Friday the 13th marks an "Unlucky 13" for
Kleenex and parent company Kimberly-Clark (K-C) as Purchase College has
become the 13th university to take action against them. Purchase
College has joined the growing university movement against
Kimberly-Clark because the company continues to make disposable tissues
out of wood fiber from clearcut forests-including the North American
Boreal forest--one of the largest remaining ancient forests. In
addition to sourcing from ancient forests, Kimberly-Clark has also
failed to increase its use of recycled content across all products,
which would decrease its dependency on virgin fiber from pristine
forests.
"The
removal of Kimberly-Clark products from our bookstores shows that
Purchase College is serious about creating a sustainable campus that
uses products made responsibly," said Jordan Davis, a sophomore
studying environmental studies. "We have shown that universities can
use their purchasing power to demand that Kimberly-Clark use recycled
paper and stop wiping away ancient forests for disposable paper
products. Every university should join us."
Greenpeace will
continue to ask Kimberly-Clark to commit to a global policy that 1)
does not source from Endangered Forests; 2) commits to increasing
recycled content in products; and 3) uses Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) certified wood for any remaining virgin fiber needs.
Kimberly-Clark
is the target of a growing number of university campaigns across the
country due to concerns about the company's clearcutting practices and
low use of post-consumer recycled content. Colleges and universities
that have participated in the Greenpeace "Kleercut" campaign by
removing K-C products include Harvard University, University of Miami,
Rice University, American University, Wesleyan University, University
of California-Berkeley, University of Vermont, University of Florida,
and Northern Arizona University.
On February 23, Greenpeace is
releasing its Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide, a credit
card-sized shopping guide that helps consumers find the greenest
household paper products. In the guide, Greenpeace recommends such
companies as Green Forest, Natural Value and Seventh Generation, while
saying shoppers should stay away from Kimberly-Clark products.
Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
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