Rolland Paper Mill, Canopy Group Set Eco-Precedent for Forest Conservation
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Rolland Enterprises, the Canadian-based producer of fine recycled paper, announced this past week its commitment to advance the protection of endangered forests, engage in R&D of alternatives to tree fiber, and avoid all controversial forest fiber sources. With this policy, developed in cooperation with international environmental not-for-profit Canopy, Rolland seeks to successfully set what would be a new highest possible standard for the North American paper industry's sustainability efforts.
"Rolland has a track record of setting the pace for ecopaper development and post-consumer recycling," explained Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s executive director. "By expanding their vision to avoid controversial fiber and sourcing from endangered forests such as the Boreal, Rolland stands out as a sustainability leader at the vanguard of change in the North American pulp and paper industry."
The company’s new policy commits to:
- End the use of wood fiber sourced from endangered forests and controversial suppliers
- Avoid fiber sourced from Intact Forest Landscapes, such as the intact forests of the Boreal
- Play an active role in the research, development and commercial scale production of pulp and paper from alternative fiber sources such as straw
- Support visionary solutions that protect endangered forests in the Coastal Temperate Rainforests of Vancouver Island and North America’s Great Bear Rainforest, Canada’s Boreal Forests, and Indonesia’s Rainforests
- Continue producing papers with 30-100% post-consumer waste recycled content.
"These commitments are an integral part of Rolland’s plans to remain a competitive player in the challenging North American paper industry," remarked Rolland CEO, Philip Rundle. "Rolland is excited to remain at the forefront of meeting customers’ growing needs for sustainable products into the future.
Canopy has worked closely with Rolland’s St. Jérôme mill over the past 13 years to advance solutions, including the development of its very successful 100% post-consumer recycled paper to print the Canadian edition of Harry Potter in 2003 and 2005. In 2011, Canopy and Rolland again collaborated in another ground-breaking initiative—the production of straw paper made from agricultural residues. This limited edition paper was used to print a special edition of Margaret Atwood’s book, In Other Worlds, and Alice Munro’s, Dear Life. This use of residue recycled straw paper was also a North American first.
Canopy’s collaborative work with companies such as Rolland helps advance solutions for businesses reliant on forest products while simultaneously securing a brighter future for ancient and endangered forests and the species and communities dependent on them.
Headquartered in St-Jérôme, Que., Canada, Rolland Enterprises is the market leader in the production of specialty uncoated fine papers with the undisputed highest standards for environmental sustainability. The company produces fine papers with biogas energy and up to 100% recycled content for many sectors including security printing, as well as the commercial, office, government, and education markets. Rolland’s facilities include the Paper Mill and Converting Center in St-Jérôme, as well as the deinking facilities in Levis, Que., and De Pere, Wis., USA..
Canopy is an international not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting our forests, species, and climate. Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, make their supply chains more sustainable, and help protect our world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Penguin-Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, The Globe and Mail, and Scholastic. Canopy’s work relies on the support of individual donors who share our passion for the planet.
