Kimberly-Clark Forestry Commitment Should Encourage Others, Says FRA

July 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Bainbridge Island, WA, USA -- Forestry Research Associated (FRA) has welcomed an announcement that personal hygiene products giant Kimberly-Clarke has expanded its membership of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN).

“We are delighted to hear that Kimberly-Clark is increasing its commitment to using sustainable and ethically sourced wood fibre in its popular products,” stated Peter Collins, an analysis partner at FRA, which is a research and advisory consultancy.

WWF started the Network in a bid to help conserve the most threatened and valuable forests in the world by stopping illegal logging altogether. The scheme has been successful in that it has attracted support from a wide range of major manufacturers who are all now committed to using only sustainable sources of timber and timber products. The announcement with Kimberly-Clark, one of the largest global brands when it comes to products like tissue and personal care items, was made at the GFTN’s 20 Anniversary event held at the Forest Stewardship Council’s annual General Assembly in Malaysia.

FRA welcomed the move as a major statement of intent from a large player in the paper products industry. “We believe that if more businesses of the size of Kimberly-Clark make such brave statements about the sourcing of their wood fibre, then any business should be in a position to follow suit,” added FRA’s Peter Collins.

Richly forested nations like Indonesia, Brazil and Costa Rica are all making moves to try to wipe out illegal logging and to safeguard the future of their forestry industries for generations to come. Projects such as those run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil and Emerald Knight in Costa Rica, are helping to drive foreign investment into these countries in the form of funding for sustainable plantations of non-native timbers, which can be managed and exported abroad instead of timber from native forests.

WWF’s Managing Director for Forests, Kerry Cesareo, said, “Given its breadth of product offerings and market influence, we commend Kimberly-Clark’s leadership in pushing the pulp and paper industry toward more responsible sourcing practices.” She continued, “Our collaboration will improve forest management, reduce impacts from production, and help protect the forests and habitats at the core of our mission.”

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 316 8394
E-Mail: info@forestry-research.com
Web: http://www.forestry-research.com