LCA Shows Small Environmental Footprint for Cascades Fine Papers
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Cascades Fine Papers Group, Saint-Jerome, Que., Canada, this week released the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results of its fine papers. Third-party validated to ensure transparency and adherence to rigorous standards, the LCA measures the environmental impact of Cascades' fine papers in comparison with the North American industry average. The company's results are impressive: Rolland Enviro100 has the smallest environmental footprint, followed by Rolland Opaque50, which has a smaller footprint than the average for virgin and 100% recycled papers.
"With supporting evidence," Cascades notes, "this comparative LCA demonstrates that Rolland Enviro100 and Rolland Opaque50 each have a much smaller impact, 68% and 46% respectively, compared with generic North American papers." These results are primarily due to the types of energy used, biogas and hydroelectricity, as well as the use of recycled fibers, the company adds. Generated from landfill waste decomposition, biogas is a local and renewable energy that serves 93% of the thermal energy needs for Cascades' Rolland Mill.
"An LCA breaks through the confusion surrounding green certifications and claims and curbs 'greenwashing' by providing comprehensive, quantifiable, and rigorous results," says Julie Loyer, a specialist in communication and sustainable development for Cascades Specialty Products Group.
The LCA is a scientific method that assesses the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. Specifically, for each component of the product under evaluation, its environmental impact is quantified and then aggregated to yield a final result demonstrating the potential damages to Human Health, Ecosystems, Non-Renewable Resources and Climate Change.
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