Rolland Enterprises (St-Jérôme, Quebec), the Canadian-based producer of fine recycled paper, has announced its commitment to advance the protection of endangered forests, engage in research and development of alternatives to tree fibre, and avoid all controversial forest fibre sources. With this policy, developed in cooperation with international environmental not-for-profit organization Canopy, Rolland “has set a new standard for the North American paper industry.”
“Rolland has a track record of setting the pace for eco-paper development and post-consumer recycling,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “By expanding their vision to avoid controversial fibre 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 fibre sourced from endangered forests and controversial suppliers.
- Avoid fibre 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 fibre sources such as straw.
- Support visionary solutions that protect endangered forests in the Coastal Temperate Rainforests of Vancouver Island, North America’s Great Bear Rainforest, Canada’s Boreal Forests and Indonesia’s Rainforests.
- Continue producing papers with 30% to 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,” said Rolland CEO Philip C. Rundle. “Rolland is excited to remain at the forefront of meeting our 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 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 groundbreaking 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. It was a North American first.
Rolland Enterprises is a 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. Facilities include its Paper Mill and Converting Center in St-Jérôme, as well as its de-inking facilities in Levis, Quebec and De Pere, Wisconsin.
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, making their supply chains more sustainable and helping to 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 its passion for the planet.
