Kleenex and Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark manufactures the well-known Kleenex brand of tissue products, which is sold as toilet paper, facial tissue and napkins. They also manufacture many other tissue products in various countries around the world under the brand names: Viva, Scott, Cottonelle, Andrex, Scottex and Hakle. Kimberly-Clark uses over 3 million tonnes of virgin tree fiber each year to manufacture millions of tonnes of tissue products and generate sales of over US$14 billion.

Most of the tissue products sold in local grocery stores under Kimberly-Clark's various brands names, including Kleenex, contain very little recycled fibre, if any at all. Kimberly-Clark actually seems proud that its facial tissue, toilet paper and napkins are made solely of virgin tree fibre - much of which comes from ancient forests that have existed for over 10,000 years.

Kleenex Facial Tissue is made from 100 percent virgin fibre and contains no recycled fibre. Virgin fibre is used in our tissue because it provides the superior softness consumers expect from a premium facial tissue product. Kimberly-Clark Kleenex.com website.

Kimberly-Clark flushing Boreal forests down the toilet 

One of the ancient forests Kimberly-Clark is destroying to produce its tissue products is the Boreal forest. The North American Boreal forest stretches from Alaska, across Canada, from the most western province to the east coast of the country and is the largest tract of ancient forest left in North America. Representing 25 percent of the world's remaining ancient forests, North America''s Boreal forest is a globally significant forest

The Boreal forest is home to hundreds of species including bear, wolves, moose, caribou, lynx, eagles, hawks, owls and 50 percent of N. America's bird species and is crucial in battling climate change. The Boreal is a unique and awe-inspiring landscape of lakes, rivers, and marshes interspersed with pine, spruce, fir and poplar trees.

The Boreal forest also contains a rich cultural legacy and is a home for indigenous peoples of Canada - First Nations and Métis. Almost 80 percent of Canada's more than 1-million indigenous people live in more than 600 communities in Canada's forest regions and many depend on wilderness lands, waters, and wildlife for their livelihood.

Despite international campaigns by Greenpeace and the Natural Resource Defense Council, Kimberly-Clark still lags far behind other tissue product companies who are using more recycled fibre in their products. Kimberly-Clark continues to use clearcut ancient forests for its disposable tissue products.

To help stop Kimberly-Clark wiping away ancient forests, take the three easy steps below and join the growing campaign around the world to protect ancient forests.