K-C Introduces Tube-Free, Coreless Bath Tissue

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Making it easier for consumers to take a "green step" at home, Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, Texas, USA, this week introduced the first toilet paper in the U.S. without the cardboard tube for use at home. Scott Naturals Tube-Free bath tissue eliminates the cardboard tube that has been the central fixture of rolled toilet paper for more than 100 years The new product is currently being tested exclusively at select Walmart and Sam's Club stores in the northeast U.S.

"The Scott brand was the first to put bath tissue on a cardboard tube, and is now the first brand to eliminate the tube," said Doug Daniels, brand manager of strategy and innovation for the Scott brand. "Scott Naturals Tube-Free bath tissue performs as well as traditional rolled toilet paper – while reducing material in the waste stream."

U.S. households use an estimated 17 billion bath tissue tubes annually, equivalent to 160 million pounds of waste, equal to the weight of more than 250 Boeing 747 airliners. The cardboard tubes can be recycled, but often are not. In fact, in a survey by Scott Naturals brand of about 1,000 participants, more than 85% said that they throw it out with the trash most often.

"By eliminating the tube, we are making it easy for consumers to help tangibly improve the environment, without compromising on product quality or performance," said Daniels. "We know that it all adds up, and we're helping our consumers make a positive impact."

Scott Naturals Tube-Free bath tissue is easily placed on a regular tissue spindle and dispenses the same way as the traditional product. There is no change to the user's normal routine. The product will be priced the same as current Scott Naturals bath tissue with the tube.