Kimberly-Clark Signs Diaper Recycling Deal

Kimberly-Clark has signed an agreement aimed at expanding its recycling of used disposable diapers into Australia, Ireland, the U.K. and mainland Europe over the next 18 months.

The agreement gives the company right of first refusal to sponsor composting facilities by OCS. Through a similar sponsorship in 2009, Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies brand of diapers and Envirocomp established the first commercial nappy composting facility in Christchurch, New Zealand. OCS acquired Envirocomp last February.

K-C says that within the first year of operation, the Christchurch facility exceeded its business plan and processed more than 15,000 diapers a day, which were mixed with green waste supplied by the local councils. This resulted in compost suitable for commercial gardening or landscaping, the company said.

OCS is now installing its second plant, in the Wellington region, with a $700,000 grant from the New Zealand Government’s Waste Minimization Fund.

Chris Cracknell, CEO of OCS, said the project will change the way people dispose of diapers. He noted that OCS operates in 40 countries and K-C sells its products in over 150 nations.

In September, Canadian company Knowaste announced it will be building the U.K.’s first diaper-recycling facility as part of a £25 million ($40 million) investment in the country.