Saint-Jérôme, Québec - Cascades was rewarded by Eco Entreprises Québec by becoming an award winner of the Greener Containers, Packaging and Printed Matter Recognition Program, for its 100% recycled and recyclable ream wrapper. This new packaging was developed to replace the traditional packaging made with virgin fibres and covered by a plastic film.

The global integration of the project, combined with its consistency with the environmentally sound virtues of the product and the efforts in research and development have enabled Cascades to receive this award. Because of the joint work between production and research and development teams, Cascades is now able to manufacture a paper packaging that is 100% recycled. A water soluble additive included to protect the product from humidity now renders the packaging as recyclable as the paper it protects. Other components of the packaging were also modified, such as the quantity of ink and materials used.

Several environmental gains have been made because of this innovation. The packaging, composed totally of post-industrial recycled fibres, results in fewer new trees being cut down. Its production also requires less water and energy. Moreover, the recycled fibres are bleached thanks to a chlorine-free process and the paper is converted locally using biogas energy.

This approach allows an even greater use of the potential of the Rolland mill, since it enables the use of its own materials to package its products. It is also a concrete example of sustainable development that links environmental and economic gains to the securement of quality jobs.