Thinking Differently About the Product Lifecycle
Disposable diapers (known in many parts of the world as "nappies"), make busy parents' lives a lot easier and offer other benefits like better leakage prevention and being more absorbent to protect babies’ skin. But they also contribute to the generation of waste, as do many other products people use every day in a modern society.
Kimberly-Clark is committed to innovating products with the entire product life cycle in mind. It’s not just about developing the best diaper; it’s also thinking about what happens when people discard the used diaper and its packaging.
Finding new solutions
Several years ago, Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies brand partnered with Karen and Karl Upston of New Zealand, founders of Envirocomp.
The Upstons wondered if there was a way to continue to benefit from the advantages of disposable diapers without adding to landfills. The couple started collaborating with local New Zealand business HotRot Organic Solutions to build a prototype for a diaper composting system. The innovative technology combines diapers with green waste to make compost that can be used in commercial gardening or landscaping.
Identifying a beneficial use for once-used materials throughout the value chain represents an opportunity for manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark.
From recycled paper as a raw material in tissue production to the repurposing of manufacturing waste materials for beneficial uses, Kimberly-Clark has demonstrated a commitment to finding second-life options for raw materials. As a new, circular economy expands, the company is working on programs with partners like Envirocomp to identify solutions for its consumers as well.
Click here to continue reading and more stories behind Kimberly-Clark's progress and our entire 2014 Sustainability Report.
Media contacts:
Terry Balluck
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
+1.972.281.1397
Elizabeth Del Toro
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
+1.972.281.5380
