Press Releases

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

Environmental leader makes green a more prominent feature in commercial restrooms across America

Waterford, NY—Cascades Tissue Group (Cascades), North America’s fourth largest producer of tissue paper, announced an agreement to offset  all the electricity used to manufacture North River® commercial towel and tissue products with wind-generated energy, supplied by Community Energy. Through this purchase, Cascades will be the first EPA Green Power Partner to use clean, renewable, emission-free wind energy in the manufacturing process of Away-From-Home towel and tissue products. North River® is the first brand in this market to be made with 100% Green-e certified renewable electricity, which speaks to Cascades’ commitment to a sustainable future.

Starting June 1, 2008, Cascades’ commitment to purchase 11,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of Green-e certified renewable energy credits (RECs) reduces its carbon footprint by preventing the release of 6,800 metric tons of CO2 or approximately 15 million lbs. This is the equivalent of not driving a car for 17 million miles or planting 1.85 million trees.
 “The North River® line is made from 100% recycled fiber with a majority of post-consumer material. It helps us preserve 47 millions trees per year and our chlorine free process allows us to reuse each drop of water up to 40 times. 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,” said Suzanne Blanchet, President of Cascades Tissue Group.  “We take our commitment to environmental stewardship seriously and offer a product for other like-minded organizations to green their supply chain,” added Blanchet.

The demand for wind power and other clean energy sources is increasing worldwide and corporations are searching for products that address global warming. 
“Cascades Tissue Group’s products are amongst the most environmentally responsible on the planet,” said Scott McDougall, President, Terrachoice Environmental Marketing Inc.
Headquartered in Waterford, New York, Cascades Tissue Group - Sales Inc. is a leading manufacturer of environmentally-preferable towel and tissue paper for commercial markets. Cascades innovative vision and environmental stewardship approach has been leading the way for over 40 years, long before corporate social responsibility became a trend.
The wind power purchase joins Cascades as a partner of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. This voluntary program encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with electricity use.
“America is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more businesses understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

Community Energy Vice President of Sales and Marketing Amy McGinty stated, “Cascades has stepped up as a leader in their industry.  Their renewable energy purchase puts their energy dollars to work for clean air and a healthy environment.  As more customers choose to follow their lead and purchase renewable energy, more wind farms will be built- an essential part to the climate change solution.”
Wind powered energy representing 100 percent of the electricity usage to manufacture North River® products, is the latest green addition to the line. Cascades Tissue Group is also the only producer of tissue products to comply with the stringent requirements of the SMMI (Sustainable Manufacturing and Marketing Initiative) guidelines and to have PCF (Processed Chlorine Free), Green Seal and EcoLogo certifications.
For more information about Cascades and its NorthRiver® environmental line, please visit www.cascades.com/tissuegroup/afh or www.newwindenergy.com/cascades.

 # # #

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fiber. Cascades employs close to 14,000 employees who work in more than 100 modern and flexible production units located in North America and Europe. Cascades' management philosophy, its more than 40 years of experience in recycling, its continued efforts in research and development are strengths which enable the company to create new products for its customers.

Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) is a marketer and developer of wind energy generation founded in 1999 and headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania. CEI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBERDROLA RENEWABLES – the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world. CEI cites its utility partners and customers as the reason for its success in bringing wind energy to market in new regions of the country. CEI has developed new wind projects in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, and supports projects under development throughout the US. For more information, please visit www.NewWindEnergy.com.

About EPA's Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities.  For added information please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

PRODUCT PICTURES, LOGOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS CALCULATOR AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Contact: Mr. Steve Ott
June 23, 2008 Cascades Tissue Group
(518) 880-3678

Mr. Paul Copleman
Community Energy Inc.
(484) 654-0106