Sustainability Initiatives in the Facial Tissue Industry: How Companies Are Going Green

Consumers in the contemporary world have become more eco-conscious. Courtesy of this, there is a growing demand for sustainable consumer products, including biodegradable facial tissues. They are constantly searching for facial tissue companies that prioritize sustainability.

Leading facial tissue brands are rapidly embracing sustainability to cater to rising consumer demand for eco-friendly facial tissues. They use innovative facial tissue manufacturing techniques to enhance efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. Let’s understand some sustainable tissue production practices employed by companies.

• Ethical Production in Tissue Sourcing

The facial tissue industry is facing criticism for its role in deforestation and for generating packaging waste. This has prompted brands to shift towards using responsibly sourced wood pulp.

Most facial tissue brands are now sourcing their materials from certified forests. They opt for FSC-certified wood pulp to meet growing consumer preference for sustainable products like FSC-certified tissue paper products.

Recycled paper facial tissues are also gaining traction in the industry. Eco-friendly facial tissue brands like Seventh Generation and Who Gives a Crap are shifting their preference towards using 100% recycled paper pulp in their products to reduce landfill waste and address the deforestation issue.

Companies are also exploring innovative materials like sugarcane bagasse, bamboo, and agricultural residues. These materials grow quickly, require less water, and have a lower environmental impact.

• Green Packaging in the Tissue Industry

Plastic packaging remained a go-to solution for the facial tissue industry for a very long time. Even today, some brands use plastic packaging for their products. However, the situation is gradually changing due to increasing plastic pollution levels.

Facial tissue brands are now focusing on using compostable packaging like paperboard, cardboard, and plant-based films that easily break down. They also utilize post-consumer recycled content in packaging. Some companies even go one step further by using minimalist packaging designs to minimize material use and reduce waste.

• Reduced Carbon Footprint

Facial tissue brands are increasingly focusing on reducing their carbon footprint in tissue manufacturing. They now use renewable energy in tissue factories, including solar, biofuels, and wind power.

Kleenex’s parent company –Kimberly-Clark- has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. Georgia-Pacific, owner of Quilted Northern, is using energy-efficient technologies and sustainable forestry practices to achieve carbon neutrality.

• Water Conservation

Many companies use advanced machinery and closed-loop water systems to conserve vital resources as well as reduce emissions. They also treat wastewater for reuse and to meet local environmental standards. Some companies even partner with environmental organizations and NGOs to further enhance sustainability efforts, such as supporting reforestation.

Sustainability is not merely a trend in the facial tissue industry but a necessity. Top facial tissue brands are going green by prioritizing sustainability in different processes. Companies that adopt sustainably sourced raw materials and use renewable energy sources and eco-friendly packaging will likely succeed in the target industry.

Facial tissue brands are also using different branding and marketing strategies to highlight their sustainable production practices. Industry analysts are expecting more companies to shift towards sustainable packaging materials and processes as demand for eco-friendly products continues to rise. This will also foster growth of the target industry during the assessment period.

According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the global facial tissue industry size is set to total US$ 21.96 billion in 2030. Global demand for facial tissues will likely increase at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2023 and 2030.

Sources:

Educational Institute: Skin Science Institute