K-C Concludes Five-Year Sustainability Program, Unveils New Strategy, Goals

Kimberly-Clark Corp., Dallas, Texas, USA, has published its annual report on sustainability, providing a comprehensive update on the company's efforts and introducing new sustainability priorities and goals through 2022. 

"Our vision is to lead the world in essentials for a better life. From the products we make to help moms care for their families to having the proper regard for the environment, this vision inspires us to care for the communities where we live and work," said Tom Falk, K-C chairman of the board and CEO. "In 2015, we achieved or surpassed our five-year sustainability goals and will continue to set aggressive goals for ourselves to make a positive impact in the world around us."

To achieve its 2015 goals, K-C collaborated across its teams and with key customers, suppliers, business partners, and nongovernmental organizations. The company expanded its socially- and environmentally-focused programs and made great strides to reduce its environmental footprint while delivering programs to enable positive social impact. 

"We're proud of the progress we've made in finding ways to grow Kimberly-Clark sustainably," said Sandra MacQuillan, chief supply chain officer. "As technology evolves and as we learn more about what we can do, it is possible that we could have a footprint that gives back, rather than takes – an aspiration we are all excited by." 

K-C’s 2015 sustainability highlights include:

• Increased the amount of K-C communities with socially-focused programs from 62% in 2011 to 97% in 2015 –read more about K-C’s Toilets Change Lives and Mothers against Malaria programs.  
• Contributed $29 million in total global donations and community investments, accounting for 2.9% of K-C's net income. 

Forests & Fiber

• Increased the amount of FSC®-certified virgin fiber in K-C tissue products from 7% in 2006 to more than 75% in 2015. 
• Collaborated with the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), to use the power of the marketplace in support of ending deforestation and safeguarding forest ecosystems. Read more about K-C’s progress in an FSC-case study. 

• Diverted 95.6% of manufacturing waste from landfills as of December 2015. 
• Participated in global programs to recycle materials and reduce waste impact to landfills. Read more about how recovered packaging materials are converted into quality recycled-plastic products for schools and/or communities around the world. 

• Awarded 2016 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Leadership award for excellence in greenhouse gas management. Read more online. 
• Reduced absolute GHG emissions by 7.2% since 2010, exceeding 5% target. 

• Exceeded the 25% water use reduction goal with a 27% reduction rate from a 2010 baseline – which is up from just 2% in 2011. 
• Recorded zero fatalities and reduced Total Reportable Incident Rate (TRIR) by 50% from 2010-2015. 
• Achieved 100% key supplier participation in social compliance program. Since 2012, K-C has completed more than 400 audits that resulted in improved working conditions for more than 123,000 employees across the external supply chain. 
• Hear more about K-C’s supply chain vision from Sandra MacQuillan, chief supply chain officer. 

Coinciding with Kimberly-Clark's 150th anniversary in 2022, Sustainability 2022 aims to pave the way for another 150 years of success through these five priorities:

• Social Impact – Improve the well-being of 25 million people in need through social and community investments that increase access to sanitation, help children thrive, and empower women and girls. 
• Forests & Fiber – Innovate K-C's tissue products to reduce their natural forest footprint by 50%, while increasing its use of environmentally-preferred fiber. 
• Waste & Recycling – Extend K-C's zero waste mindset to all solid wastes and deliver innovation to help keep product and packaging material out of landfills. 
• Energy & Climate – Achieve a 20% reduction in absolute greenhouse gases versus a 2005 baseline. 
• Supply Chain – Uphold K-C's values through proactive environmental and social programs that address material risks and sustain our commitment to human rights, worker safety, anti-corruption, and environmental protection.  

"Five years ago, when we first set out to achieve our 2015 sustainability program, we knew it marked a shift in our thinking. We pushed ourselves to look beyond the responsibility of our operational footprint into other areas throughout the value chain," said Lisa Morden, senior director of global sustainability for Kimberly-Clark. "As we embark on the next leg of our journey with our Sustainability 2022 strategy, we do so backed by the full commitment of our teams around the world."

In addition to providing a thorough summary of key data and metrics, the report highlights stories from the company's teams and partners around the world.

Kimberly-Clark's entire 2015 Sustainability Report is available online.