UF says no to Kleenex tissues

Responding to a request from a student activist, the University of Florida has removed Kleenex from two campus stores because the tissues are made with virgin fiber, much of which is sourced from one of the world’s last remaining ancient forests.

UF junior Alex Klein asked that the tissues, produced by tissue giant Kimberly-Clark, be removed after attending Greenpeace student training. University officials replaced them with more environmentally sustainable Seventh Generation tissues.

“Kimberly-Clark claims to be an environmentally responsible company, but it uses wood pulp that is clear cut from the Boreal to make throwaway products like tissues and toilet paper,” Klein said. “The University of Florida showed that universities can use their purchasing power to demand that Kimberly-Clark use recycled paper and stop wiping away ancient forests for disposable paper products.”

Kimberly-Clark has become the target of a growing number of university campaigns nationwide. UF is the 12th university to take action against the company due to concerns about the company's clear-cutting practices, joining the ranks of the University of Central Florida, the University of Miami and Harvard University.

Donna Winchester, higher education reporter

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Comments

Thanks Alex.

No more Kleenex in my house.

[KC]

Tissue of all things ought to be from recycled paper and wood.