Kimberly-Clark Australia (K-CA), a manufacturer renowned for the Kleenex, Huggies, and U by Kotex brands, has achieved zero waste, successfully diverting 100 per cent of its waste from landfills through a series of innovative recycling and reuse initiatives at its Millicent Mill in South Australia.
The Millicent Mill, responsible for producing 85,000 tonnes of essential personal care products annually, has implemented several key strategies to achieve this feat.
Organic-based materials such as off-quality tissues, loose cardboard, and cardboard cores are responsibly managed through composting practices. Used fabrics and felts are repurposed within the community or directed to landscaping purposes.
Additionally, the Mill actively collects and recycles used batteries onsite and has initiated programs for recycling used plastic pails and damaged plastic pallets.
The Mill initiated a program for collecting used plastic pails (made of HDPE) for the eucalyptus element of key products, as well as damaged plastic pallets for supply chain. These materials are transported to Sustainable Plastic Solutions in Hamilton, where they undergo cleaning and processing into chips for recycling.
Last year, the company reached a 98 per cent waste reduction milestone. To address the remaining two per cent, Kimberly-Clark Australia forged a partnership with Waste ResourceCo. This collaboration now sees the final portion of waste repurposed into energy for the site in Adelaide.
Looking ahead, Kimberly-Clark has ambitious targets to further enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. With a state-of-the-art electricity cogeneration facility at the Millicent Mill, capable of generating 95 per cent of electricity on-site, the company is exploring alternative energy sources like green hydrogen.
Adam Carpenter, Mill manager at Kimberly-Clark Australia, emphasises the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“We’re thrilled about the strides made at Millicent Mill in achieving zero waste across our operations. Sustainability has always been a core value for us, and this accomplishment is not only significant for our team but also for the broader Australian manufacturing sector as it demonstrates that this is possible.”
He adds, “Moving forward, we remain committed to furthering our environmental efforts. Having surpassed our initial greenhouse gas reduction goal early in 2022, our current focus is on reducing our scope one and two emissions by 50 per cent, by 2023.”
Located in South Australia, a region recognised for its leadership in climate action, Kimberly-Clark is leveraging this advantage by exploring various avenues for reducing emissions.
Carpenter highlights their exploration of electrification, direct access to renewable energy sources, and collaborative ventures in green hydrogen generation.
“We take pride in our Australian manufacturing base, and we hope our efforts inspire others to prioritise sustainability and contribute to our collective goal of preserving our planet,” said Carpenter.
Kimberly-Clark Australia’s achievement showcases its commitment to sustainability and serves as a beacon for the manufacturing industry, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of zero-waste practices.
