Cascades Tissue Group plant in Lachute, Québec has received the coveted LEEDzGold certification, a statement from the company announced.
 
The plant is the first paper manufacturing facility to obtain LEED-NC (New Construction) certification in the Canadian paper industry, according to the company.
 
The project was recognized for its performance regarding:
 
• The reduction of its drinking water consumption
• The use of regional materials
• The presence of certified wood
 
The project was also acknowledged because it offers a 58 percent reduction in energy costs, when compared to a Canadian reference building. The CaGBC applauded the fact that 86.6 percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfill.
 
“We are honored to receive this certification, which reflects our numerous efforts to protect the environment and to make sustainable development a priority,” says Alain Lemaire, president and chief executive officer of Cascades. “The new plant expansion not only meets the strict standards set by the LEED-NC rating system, but also helps to sustain the local economy, while respecting the building’s more than hundred-year-old heritage and its contribution to the community.” 
 
"Buildings that are sustainable and respectful of the environment have become an exemplary practice in the building industry, but the manufacturing sector is lagging behind," adds Thomas Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the Canada Green Building Council. "I congratulate Cascades Tissue Group for its determination in working towards the preservation of the environment and the well-being of Canada."