Huggies and TerraCycle launch free recycling program in the U.S.
Initiative aims to recycle plastic packaging from Huggies diapers and wipes and other Kimberly-Clark brands, with a focus on sustainability
Huggies and TerraCycle have joined forces to launch the Huggies Free Recycling Program in the U.S. The goal is to allow consumers to recycle the outer plastic packaging of Huggies diapers and wipes, as well as the packaging of other brands in the Kimberly-Clark portfolio, such as Pull-Ups, Goodnites, U by Kotex, Depend, Poise, Scott, Cottonelle and Viva.
The program comes as part of Huggies’ commitment to designing packaging solutions compatible with circular systems by 2025. In the U.S., less than 50% of the 80 million tons of packaging waste is recycled annually, including personal and baby care items. The partnership with TerraCycle seeks to mitigate this impact by enabling the recycling of hard-to-process plastic materials and preventing these products from ending up in landfills and incinerators.
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, specializing in creating and operating pioneering platforms for recycling, recycled materials and reuse. With more than 550 free recycling initiatives and partnerships with more than 300 organizations around the world, TerraCycle has recycled more than 8.5 billion items. The Huggies Free Recycling Program will join this global network, expanding the reach and impact of the sustainable solutions offered by the company.
“Huggies puts the consumer at the heart of all we do. We set out to make our consumers lives better while making the smallest environmental impact possible. Our partnership with TerraCycle supports that ambition and minimizes our plastics footprint”, said Andrea Zahumensky, Kimberly-Clark North American Baby & Childcare President.
Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, reinforced the importance of demystifying the disposal of flexible plastics: “There’s a common misconception that single-use flexible plastic packaging can only be thrown away, but technically, almost anything can be recycled. Our partnership with Huggies and Kimberly-Clark makes it easy and convenient for consumers to recycle hard-to-recycle packaging and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
The program is available to schools, individuals and community organizations, allowing participants to register online, download a pre-paid shipping label and send the plastic packaging to TerraCycle’s recycling facilities. The packaging is then shredded, cleaned and recycled into raw materials for new products.
