Paper manufactured using a process whose pH is between 7 and 8. Alkaline papers provide better document conservation than acidic papers, which tend to yellow and disintegrate.
Gas produced from the decomposition of organic wastes in a landfill site. The two main biogases are methane and carbon dioxide. Using this green energy rather than natural gas for paper manufacturing substantially reduces greenhouse-gas emissions.
Unit of measurement of organic water pollution, defined by the quantity of oxygen used by bacteria for the biochemical oxidation of organic matter after five days. BOD5 is an indirect measurement of the dissolved matter, which is reduced through a secondary biological treatment.
Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas, with a sour taste. It is also called carbonic acid gas or carbonic anhydride. It is the main product from the hydrocarbon combustion.
A technique used to simultaneously produce electricity and useful thermal energy (i.e., steam, hot water, combustion gas) from a fuel (i.e., natural gas, wood chips, residue, etc.).
Corporate social responsibility involves actions to promote sustainable development in both business activities and relationships with clients, suppliers, employees, etc. For example, socially responsible companies are concerned with their environmental, social and economic impacts.
In this sense, Cascades undertook its first environmental mission in 1996. However, since it opened its doors in 1964, it managed its resources to the best of its ability. To be transparent, Cascades now produces a Report on Sustainable Development.
The Environmental Choice Program, also known as Eco-Logo, is an eco-labelling program that Environment Canada set up to help Canadians identify products and services that clearly have a reduced effect on the environment than other similar products and services.
Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which certifies the 100% post-consumer content of a product, taking into account all transformation steps, from raw material to consumer product.
A gas found in the atmosphere, occurring naturally or man-made, which absorbs and reflects infrared rays from the earth’s surface. The increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the air, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, contributes to earth warming.
The greenhouse-gas effect is the phenomenon in which part of the heat forming from the sun is trapped by the earth’s surface. The accumulation of several gases forms a layer that acts as a cover that prevents heat from escaping (without this effect, the temperature would be 15 degrees Celsius lower at the Earth’s surface). When excess greenhouse gases are released, the layer becomes more opaque and retains too much heat, leading to global warming.
The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) frequency level represents the percentage of employees that have had a work-related injury, which has rendered them unable to work, or an injury, which has restricted their normal activities or required them to receive medical treatment.
Certification from the Chlorine Free Product Association (CFPA), which indicates that no chlorine or chlorine derivative was used in manufacturing the paper.
Solid matter particles found in effluents that are sifted through a filter with holes smaller than 1.5 mm in diameter. Most of these particles are recovered through sedimentation or flotation.
Development that responds to current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development finds a balance between environmental, social and economical aspects.
With nearly 180 countries signing on, the Kyoto Protocol aims to quantify reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. Its objective is to bring these emissions down, between the years 2008 and 2012, to levels that are 5.2% lower than that produced in 1990. Proud to be doing its part, Cascades has reduced its total emissions by 11.5% between 2005 and 2006, and by 7.3% between 2006 and 2007.
