Cascades’ North River® Brand Pioneers the Use of Wind Energy in the Commercial Towel and Tissue Industry

Leading the Way

Cascades Tissue Group is a leading manufacturer of environmentally preferable towel and tissue paper for retail and commercial markets.  The fourth largest producer of tissue paper in North America, the Group employs 1,874 people located in 14 manufacturing and converting facilities in the United States and Canada.  Recently, Cascades Tissue Group’s commercial division partnered with Community Energy, Inc. to offset their electricity use through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).  Cascades’ purchase of 11,000 MWh of wind-generated, Green-e certified RECs will successfully offset 100% of the electricity used in the production of their North River® towel and tissue products.

A Natural Fit

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 founded on a strong respect for the land, the people and the communities where it conducts business.  Cascades started as a waste recovery and recycled fiber business built on the idea that paper could be made from waste.  For more than 40 years Cascades has been a leader in paper recycling and energy conservation, developing environmentally preferable alternatives for its customers and the community.  The decision to purchase renewable energy continues their tradition of environmental excellence and leadership.  This is an especially significant commitment given that the paper industry is the fifth most energy-intensive industry in United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Taking Action

In addition to their renewable energy purchase Cascades Tissue Group has undertaken a number of environmental initiatives to make their North River® product line and manufacturing practices as sustainable as possible.  By minimizing their water waste through more efficient equipment, using recycled fiber containing up to 100% post-consumer material, eliminating chlorine pollutants from their bleaching process and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites, the North River® brand is an undisputed leader in the industry.  Cascades will be encouraging others to make responsible environmental decisions by educating their employees, customers and the public about their wind energy commitment.  Through press releases, employee training programs, the creation of marketing materials and posting information on their website Cascades will engage others in the decision to go green. 

“Cascades Tissue Group’s products are amongst the most environmentally responsible on the planet,” said Scott McDougall, President, Terrachoice Environmental Marketing Inc.

Environmental Benefits

11,000 MWhs of RECs accomplishes the estimated equivalent of:

• Planting over 6,100 acres of trees, OR
• Not driving over 17 million miles, or taking 1,412 cars off the road, OR
• Preventing 6,800 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, or approximately 15 million pounds

In it for the Long Run

No matter how much the paper industry changes, Cascades firmly intends to remain a leader by maintaining its environmental objectives 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.

“Cascades Tissue Group is proud to offset 100% of the electricity used in the manufacturing of our North River towel and tissue line with clean, renewable wind power.  As an environmental leader in our market, we are especially proud to pioneer the use of Green-e certified wind energy in manufacturing tissue products. Not only does this further strengthen our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, but it also speaks powerfully to our customers.  We take our commitment to sustainability seriously and are helping other like-minded organizations to green their supply chain. Sustainability is a long term commitment but a clear goal. However, this concept has been in our mentality for so long that it’s not a new way of living; it’s just the result of our business values. Being green is genetic…it’s in our DNA.” 

Suzanne Blanchet, President, Cascades Tissue Group