In a landmark effort to combat plastic waste, Kimberly-Clark Australia (KCA) and Woolworths have announced the success of a packaging trial aimed at removing secondary plastic packaging from VIVA paper towels.
The initiative is projected to save 15 tonnes of plastic annually—equivalent to 1.6 million 500ml plastic bottles—marking a significant step toward reducing waste in Australian supply chains, KCA said in a media release.
The trial involved eliminating secondary packaging, often unseen by consumers as it is removed before products are shelved, and instead packing VIVA paper towels directly onto pallets for Woolworths.
This shift, developed and tested over a year, reached Woolworths stores in mid-September and has already delivered promising results, including reduced plastic disposal and enhanced stock replenishment efficiency.
This effort aligns with Kimberly-Clark Australia’s broader goal to halve its virgin plastic usage by 2030.
According to the company, the success of the trial has solidified plans to continue the new packaging approach, with both Kimberly-Clark and Woolworths committed to scaling its impact across their operations.
“Aussie consumers are looking to us to reduce plastic across the board,” said Adam Carpenter, Mill Manager at Kimberly-Clark Australia.
“Removing an ‘invisible’ layer of packaging might not sound like a major achievement, but it represents a significant change to how products have been distributed in Australia for years. This has taken immense problem-solving and persistence to deliver these savings.”
Carpenter emphasised that this project exemplifies how rethinking traditional processes can yield environmental benefits.
“Rethinking our approach to packaging – and how things have always been done – was instrumental to the success of this project, and now we’ve shown what’s possible, we’ll be looking at other opportunities to roll this out further. We’re looking forward to future collaborations with our customers, including Woolworths, that help reduce plastic waste in Australia.”
Woolworths, a key player in the initiative, praised the collaborative approach.
Packaging used to transport products through our network can be a significant opportunity for sustainability improvements but requires close collaboration to ensure team safety and product quality is maintained,” said Tim Moffatt, Woolworths’ Category Manager for Paper Goods, Period & Continence Care.
For more information about Kimberly-Clark Australia’s commitment to sustainability, visit their website.
