Cascades - Green Before Green Was Trendy
Long before Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) was a buzzword, Cascades was operating in an environmentally, socially
and economically sustainable manner. In fact, the company was built on a strong
respect for the land, the people and the communities where it conducts
business. And, the solid values that the company has espoused 42 years ago
still hold true today. Everyday the company strives to be fair employers, good
corporate citizens and ethical business people, respectful of the environment.
Cascades started as a waste recovery and
recycled fibre business built on the idea that paper could be made from waste
paper. Since then, the company has been leaders in paper recycling and energy
conservation, developing environmentally friendly alternatives for customers
and the community.
According to a company spokesperson, “Our
sense of respect clearly extends to our planet, and we believe this approach
yields better profits and a better world.”
Environmental Performance
No matter how much the paper industry
changes, Cascades firmly intends to remain a leader by maintaining the
environmental objectives it has set for itself: to better protect the
environment and forests by increasing the volume of recycled materials, further
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recovering waste from water treatment
systems and maximizing energy efficiency.
Raw Fiber Supply
The Cascades group has an annual recycled
fibre consumption of over 2.7 million short tons. And, 97 per cent of the total
fibres used in the manufacturing process of Cascades Tissue Group in Canada are
recycle fibre. The three remaining per cent are virgin fibre from certified
sources such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Water
One of Cascades’ top priorities is to
reduce the consumption of fresh water in its manufacturing process. And, the
company is making excellent progress. Its sophisticated in-plant water
recycling systems enable Cascades mills to use an average of 18.7 cubic meters
of water per metric ton of manufactured product. This compares favourably to
the Canadian industry average of 65 cubic meters of water per metric ton of
manufactured product. A remarkable performance that we hope to improve upon
throughout its operations in the future.
Waste Collection
Cascades’ waste collection program has been
extremely successful, the spokesperson said. The extensive program collects 16
different categories of waste generated from its plants, including the
collection of hazardous materials such as batteries, fluorescent tubes, IT
equipment, solvents and used oils which are either recycled or disposed of
safely.
The North River® Line
Cascades Tissue Group’s innovative vision
and natural approach has lead to the development of a superior line of
environmentally-friendly tissue paper products. The attractively designed North
River® brand of products combines the best of both worlds: a complete range of
quality tissue papers that contribute to the preservation of natural resources.
Superior to the industry standards
currently in effect, the North River line of
products was developed to show that top quality products can also be
ecologically sound. With its innovative approach to environmental preservation,
be it through the minimal use of water, the use of recycle fibres containing up
to 100 per cent post-consumer material, the reduction of waste being sent to
landfill sites, the absence of chlorinated bleaching processes and through
reduced energy consumption, the North River line of products is an undisputed
leader in the pulp and paper industry.
Cascades Tissue Group is decidedly ahead of
its time in terms of environmental standards. Its complete line of North River
products stands out from the competition by exceeding certification criteria of
the most stringent environmental standards in the pulp and paper industry,
including: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), PCF (Processed-Chlorine Free)
and EcoLogo(M). The North
River brand of bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins and wipers
was also granted the Green Seal Certification.
Choosing Cascades means selecting quality
products that both meet your needs and preserves the environment.
For more information, contact Cascades
Tissue Group at www.cascades.com/tissuegroup.
