The RightCycle Programme is the first large-scale recycling effort for non-hazardous lab, cleanroom and industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) waste. Originating in the U.S. with a few scientific manufacturing customers, the programme is now available in 11 countries with a wide range of customers that includes universities and research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies as well as manufacturing facilities and other businesses. In addition to the U.S., the Netherlands and Switzerland, the programme is available in Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, and Spain. Since 2011, it has helped hundreds of customers divert more than 2,000 metric tons of PPE waste.
The RightCycle Programme collects previously hard-to-recycle PPE such as garments, masks, and gloves. These items are then recycled by regional partners that create new plastic pellets, which are used to produce consumer products and other durable goods.
In 2021, the company expanded The RightCycle Programme in Europe to other categories to include the recycling of plastic dispensers and hand towels. In 2022, it expanded the programme in the U.S. and Canada to accept flex-film plastic packaging from Kimtech and KleenGuard products. This will provide Kimberly-Clark Professional with an even greater opportunity to reduce its environmental footprint together withQ its customers.
