“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.
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VVPR info: CONTACT: Daniel Kessler, Greenpeace, (970) 690-2728 (cell)
Notes: About Greenpeace Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. About Boreal forest destruction One of the ancient forests Kimberly-Clark continues to destroy is North America’s Boreal forest. The Boreal forest stretches across the country, from the eastern Alaskan to Labrador. The Boreal has evolved for over 10,000 years and is the largest tract of ancient forest left in North America, making the protection of the Boreal forest absolutely critical. Representing 25 percent of the world’s remaining ancient forests, North America’s Boreal forest truly is a global treasure. The thick layers of moss, soil and peat of the Boreal forest form one of the world’s largest terrestrial storehouses of carbon. This carbon storehouse plays an enormous role in fighting climate change. The Boreal forest is also home to hundreds of wide-ranging wildlife species, including moose, caribou, lynx, bear and wolves. Eagles, hawks, owls, 30 percent of North America’s songbirds and 40 percent of its waterfowl nest in the forests and wetlands. The Boreal is a diverse and awe-inspiring landscape of granite outcrops, lakes, rivers, and marshes interspersed with pine, spruce, fir and poplar forests.
