Greenpeace

Students sucessfully deliver letter to the office of KC Board Member and Rice University Board Trustee, Marc Shapiro

Houston, Texas – Rice University students delivered four feet tall letter to the office of Kimberly-Clark Board member and Rice Board Trustee, Marc Shapiro. The letter confirmed removal of all Kleenex brand products from the Rice Housing and Dining Department. Students have been working with University administrators to remove the Kleenex brand because these products are produced using trees clearcut from North America’s largest ancient forest, the Boreal.

"The removal of Kimberly-Clark products from our university is a strong indication that the company is not producing an environmentally sound product," said Kyle Saari, Rice University student. "Kimberly-Clark claims to be an environmentally responsible company, but it uses wood pulp that is clearcut from the Boreal to make throwaway products like tissues and toilet paper. Universities can flex their purchasing power by demanding that Kimberly-Clark use recycled paper and stop wiping out this important forest."

"I’m proud to attend Rice University, a campus that has shown its commitment to sustainability. I was appalled to discover that KC Board Member and Rice Board Trustee, Marc Shapiro, is taking part in destroying one of the last remaining ancient forests. It’s time for Kimberly-Clark to end these types of practices," continued Kyle.

Campuses across the U.S. are targeting Kimberly-Clark because the company's forest practices rely on endangered forests like the Boreal Forest of North America. In April, American University announced its commitment to sustainability by refusing to use Kimberly-Clark products. Skidmore College sent a letter of concern to the company in November. Both institutions asked the makers of Kleenex to drastically increase the amount of recycled content in all products. The most recent removal by Rice University indicates student efforts against Kimberly-Clark are gaining momentum.

Read the story in _The Houston Chronicle_: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4402420.html