Cascades Inc., mulls new partnership to boost sustainable practices

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): Cascades Inc., has announced a new partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation to boost its efforts to protect the environment. The association with the non-governmental organization is part of company’s efforts to expand its environmental values by supporting the Foundation’s mission to protect nature’s diversity and our quality of life.

Cascades will support the public awareness campaigns and other activities to be organized by the Foundation in the coming months. The two entities had jointly hosted a conference in Toronto during last month, which was attended by eminent personalities including David Suzuki, Laurence Packer and Lorraine Johnson. The conference discussed about the protection of biodiversity and the adoption of sustainable practices in our daily lives and was attended by 300 members including company representatives, public officials, NGOs and general public.

Karel Mayrand, Director General for Quebec and Atlantic Canada for the David Suzuki Foundation stated that the Foundation is proud to welcome Cascades as a partner in its mission. Cascades Inc., is one among the few Canadian companies that have a good reputation for environmental performance, Mayrand added. Meantime, Mario Plourde, President and CEO of Cascades stated that the company has played a significant role over the past 50 years to offer large number of environmentally responsible consumer choices. The association with David Suzuki Foundation will further encourage citizens to follow positive lifestyle practices, Plourde said.

As part of its sustainability efforts, Cascades Inc., had launched 2016-2020 Sustainable Development Plan by which it had set ambitious goals over the five-year period. The Plan aims 7% reduction in the amount of energy it buys to make its products. The company also targets 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 207 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2015 to 192 kilograms in 2020. In addition, the Plan also aims to increase the beneficial use of recovered residuals from 76% in 2015 to 80% in 2020.

The Sustainable Development Plan aims to reduce the amount of waste water from 9.9 cubic metres of waste water per metric tonne of saleable products in 2015 to 8.9 cubic metres. Another goal is to increase the supply of materials from certified and responsible suppliers from 43% in 2015 to 60% by 2020. The company also targets 43% growth in return on capital employed from 5.6% in 2015 to 8% in 2020. The company also plans to substantially increase the development and marketing of innovative and eco-responsible products.

The Plan targets 38% reduction in number of employee accidents over the five-year period. In addition, it aims to achieve 65% employee commitment levels in the next Aon Hewitt employee opinion survey which is due in 2018. The company had achieved a score of 56% in the 2015 survey. Cascades Inc., also plans significant improvement in its involvement with nearby communities.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Company employs close to 11,000 employees, who work in over 90 production units located in North America and Europe. From a manufacturer of primarily paper and cartonboard, the Corporation has emerged as the largest collector of recyclable materials in Canada, as well as one of the major converters of corrugated packaging products, tissue papers and specialty products in North America.

David Suzuki Foundation is a Canadian non-profit environmental organization dedicated to finding solutions through science-based research, public engagement and policy work.