Kimberly-Clark Australia (K-CA) has achieved zero waste at its Millicent site by diverting 100 per cent of waste from landfills through reuse and recycling initiatives.
The company is known for its portfolio of personal care brands, including Kleenex, Huggies, U by Kotex, and Viva.
KC-A’s Millicent Mill produces 85,000 tonnes of toilet, facial, and paper towel products annually and was able to achieve its milestone through initiatives such as:
- Composting organic-based materials, including off-quality tissue boxes, loose cardboard, off-quality lotion-treated tissue, and cardboard cores offsite.
- Offering used fabrics and felts for reuse to employees and the wider community, while the rest are sent to Gambier Earth Movers for landscaping.
- Collecting used batteries on-site for local recycling
- Collecting used plastic pails and damaged plastic pellets to be transported to Sustainable Plastic Solutions in Hamilton for recycling.
After achieving 98 per cent waste reduction last year, the company partnered with Waste ResourceCo this year to convert the remaining 2 per cent of waste into energy for its Adelaide site.
Adam Carpenter, mill manager at Kimberly-Clark Australia, said that sustainability has always been the company’s core value, and this milestone is significant not just for the company but the broader manufacturing sector.
“Being based in South Australia, a region renowned for its leadership in climate action and electrical network decarbonisation, is advantageous,” said Carpenter.
He added that the company is capitalising on this by exploring electrification, direct access to renewable energy sources, and collaborative ventures in green hydrogen generation with industry and government partners to help meet its reduction targets.
“We hope our efforts inspire others to prioritise sustainability and contribute to our collective goal of preserving our planet,” Carpenter concluded.
