In September 2011, Green Seal made major revisions to its GS-1 standard. The standard was first established more than 20 years ago for products such as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, wipes, and placemats. Overall, it sets the environmental, health, and social requirements for sanitary paper products and comprehensively addresses environmental life-cycle issues spanning raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, and product use and performance.
"Cascades has offered Green Seal-certified paper towels and tissue since 2005," said Dr. Arthur Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal. "In achieving certification to the revised GS-1 standard, the North River and Cascades products continue to represent leadership in sustainability in this industry."
The revised GS-1 standard provides more stringent criteria such as increasing the amount of post-consumer material required by an average of 25%, monitoring air and wastewater quality, and expanding product performance and packaging requirements. Products must also adhere to strict requirements related to qualities like weight, strength, absorbency, and sheet count and size.
"We're honored to have the most products conforming to GS-1 in the market and commend Green Seal for their detailed, comprehensive approach to ensuring high standards of product performance and environmental quality," said Suzanne Blanchet, President and CEO of Cascades Tissue Group. "Given that these papers are heavily used in North America, and often used just once before being disposed of, it's a valuable certification for everyone."
TAPPI
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