U.S. tissue maker Kimberly-Clark on Thursday announced the roll-out (pun intended) of Scott Naturals Tube-Free bath tissue, marking the first consumer toilet paper manufacturer to eliminate the cardboard core. The company is test-marketing the product in the northeast U.S. at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores.
According to Kimberly-Clark, surveys have shown that most people put the cardboard rolls in the garbage rather than recycling them, resulting in up to 160 million pounds of waste from the 17 billion tubes produced annually. The company says the new technology will provide usable tissue, right to the last square, and nothing to dispose of after the roll disappears.
“The Scott brand was the first to put bath tissue on a cardboard tube – and is now the first brand to eliminate the tube,” said Doug Daniels, brand manager of strategy and innovation for the Scott brand. “By eliminating the tube, we are making it easy for consumers to help tangibly improve the environment, without compromising on product quality or performance.”
You can read the Kimberly-Clark press release and see a video showing the new rolls here: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/scottnaturals/46945/
What do you think? If all manufacturers can eliminate the core, will it reduce waste and mess where you place restrooms? Is this the kind of green initiative you can get behind as a business owner and promote to show your concern for the environment? Are you in a test market area and have tried the rolls?
Send your comments to me at editor@promonthly.com and I will post them right here on my blog.
