ROSWELL, Ga., April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark announced today that it has been named a winner of the Practice Greenhealth 2013 Champion for Change awards, recognizing the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability accomplishments in support of people, the planet and products. 

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Demonstrating the Commitment

• Kimberly-Clark's Blue ReNew Sterilization Wrap recycling program has reached hospitals throughout the United States and Canada, bringing another life to this resource.  The program helps hospitals organize the process of recycling their wrap – used to maintain sterility of surgical instruments – into five achievable stages and can be customized to meet the specific needs of each facility.  Ten percent of United States hospitals have initiated a Blue ReNew recycling program.
• Kimberly-Clark helps customers achieve exceptional patient outcomes by helping to prevent the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), which account for nearly 100,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. The company offers products, timely and relevant education and facilities information sharing through resources and training for clinicians, healthcare organizations and patients. 

"Kimberly-Clark's sustainability commitment starts with the patients – the people we serve – and extends to the planet we protect.  The products we innovate are designed to create healthier solutions with this promise in mind," said Joanne Bauer, President, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. "We believe in maintaining that careful balance to enable continued resources for future generations.  We have taken this pledge further year after year and are honored to be recognized for our efforts with the Champion for Change award."

The Champion for Change award is reserved for organizational partners supplying health care products and services that are considerate of Earth and its resources. As a winner of this award, Kimberly-Clark has achieved success in greening its own organization and has also assisted others who are committed to improving their environmental performance. As evidenced in a recent Health Care Research Collaborative study, "Can Sustainable Hospitals Help Bend the Health Care Cost Curve?" introducing environmental sustainability measures in hospitals not only results in significant savings, it prevents an increase in operating costs. Kimberly-Clark helps hospitals looking to make a positive impact on their bottom line make a positive impact on the environment.

"The Champion for Change award honors organizations that demonstrate leadership in reducing their environmental footprint," said Laura Wenger, RN, Executive Director, Practice Greenhealth. "Kimberly-Clark has extended their commitment beyond their internal practices to their clients and community to make even more of an impact."

The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards were presented in Boston, Mass., at the CleanMed Conference & Exposition, the premier national environmental conference for leaders in health care sustainability.

About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the nation's leading membership and networking organization for institutions in health care that have made a commitment to sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. To learn more about Practice Greenhealth visit www.practicegreenhealth.org .

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 141-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.  

Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment
Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions, hygiene & cleaning offerings, and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. A global enterprise of more than $1 billion, Kimberly-Clark Health Care holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in several categories, including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management, hygiene solutions and digestive health. And throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices, KLEENEX tissues, KLEENEX & SCOTT skin care products and SCOTT towels for day-to-day needs. For more information, visit http://www.kchealthcare.com and http://www.kcprofessional.com.

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corp.