Greenpeace Activists Blockade Paper Giant's Canada H.Q.

“It is unacceptable that this huge American company continues to
destroy Canada’s Boreal Forest -- one of the largest intact
ecosystems left on earth -- to make something that’s used once and
then thrown away,” said Christy Ferguson, Greenpeace Canada forests
campaigner, locked down inside Kimberly-Clark headquarters. “Because
of this company, forests that have stood for hundreds of years are
literally being flushed down the toilet.”

In recent months Greenpeace has blockaded Kimberly-Clark facilities
in Huntsville, Ontario; Everett, Washington; and Turin, Italy, all
with the clear demand that the company stop destroying ancient
forests. Greenpeace will continue to use peaceful protest to disrupt
its operations. But despite these actions and the growing pressure
from customers and investors in the form of contract cancellations
and shareholder resolutions, Kimberly-Clark executives have refused
to change their policies. All of the Kleenex brand products sold in
North America are made from 100% virgin tree fiber, much of it from
unsustainably managed forests in Ontario and Alberta.

“Kimberly-Clark’s executives want to continue with business as
usual. Unfortunately, business as usual for them means taking one of
the last great forests on earth, one of our best defenses against
global warming, and turning it into Kleenex and toilet paper,” said
Ginger Cassady, Greenpeace USA Forest Campaigner. “And that can go
on no longer.  If it does, Greenpeace will continue its business as
usual: peacefully demonstrating our commitment to protecting North
America’s forests.”

Greenpeace is demanding that Kimberly-Clark dramatically increase
the use of recycled fiber in its entire line of products, and only
purchase virgin fiber from logging operations that are sustainable
and certified as meeting the strict standards of the Forest
Stewardship Council.

Stretching from Newfoundland to the Yukon, Canada’s Boreal Forest
comprises one quarter of the world’s remaining intact ancient
forests. As the world’s largest land-based storehouse of carbon, the
Boreal is essential in fighting global warming. The Boreal is home
to numerous First Nations, as well as hundreds of species of birds
and animals that are threatened by the loss of their habitat.