Cascades Tissue Group (CAS:TSX) announced today that it has achieved Green Seal Standard, GS-1 re-certification of Sanitary Paper Products for its entire line of Cascades® and North River® away-from-home towel and tissue products.  In September 2011, Green Seal made major revisions to its GS-1 standard. The standard was first established more than 20 years ago for products such as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, wipes and placemats. Overall, it sets the environmental, health, and social requirements for sanitary paper products and comprehensively addresses environmental life-cycle issues spanning raw materials, manufacturing, packaging and product use and performance.

With this latest development, Cascades now possesses the largest offering of Green Seal-certified towel and tissue products throughout North America today. The re-certification encompasses 114 branded products, all made from 100 percent recycled fiber.

“Cascades has offered Green Seal-certified paper towels and tissue since 2005,” said Dr. Arthur Weissman, President and CEO of Green Seal. “In achieving certification to the revised GS-1 standard, the North River and Cascades products continue to represent leadership in sustainability in this industry.”

The revised GS-1 standard provides more stringent criteria such as increasing the amount of post-consumer material required by an average of 25 percent, monitoring air and wastewater quality, and expanding product performance and packaging requirements. Products must also adhere to strict requirements related to qualities like weight, strength, absorbency and sheet count and size.  Full documentation of the GS-1 standard, is available at http://www.greenseal.org/Portals/0/Documents/Standards/GS-1/GS-1_Sanitary_Paper_Products_Standard_Fifth_Edition.pdf.

“We’re honored to have the most products conforming to GS-1 in the market and commend Green Seal for their detailed, comprehensive approach to ensuring high standards of product performance and environmental quality,” said Suzanne Blanchet, President and CEO of Cascades Tissue Group.  “Given that these papers are heavily used in North America, and often used just once before being disposed of, it’s a valuable certification for everyone.”

About Cascades Tissue Group

Cascades Tissue Group, a division of Cascades, ULC, is the fourth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in North America.  Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fiber. The company employs more than 12,000 employees, who work in more than 100 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to serve its clients with innovative products. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS. For more information about Cascades Tissue Group and its environmental product line, visit www.afh.cascades.com.

Cascades Inc.

Cascades Inc.

Founded in 1964, Cascades, Inc. manufactures, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibers. Cascades employs close to 12,500 employees who work in more than 100 production facilities located in North America and Europe. The company’s visionary management philosophy, 45 years of experience in pioneering recycled paper and continued efforts in environmental stewardship, research and development are strengths enabling it to create quality new products for its customers. Whether for recycling materials, re-using waste, improving water and air quality or energy efficiency, Cascades has established high standards for each operating unit and closely monitors their steps toward achieving the objectives.

The company’s Cascades Tissue Group division is a leading tissue paper manufacturer for retail and away-from-home (commercial) markets, including office buildings, secondary and higher education, health care, hospitality, government and more. With 17 plants, Cascades Tissue Group offers its customers a wide range of sustainable quality products throughout North America. Its North River ivory towels are the first third-party certified 100 percent recycled hand towels, using 100 percent post-consumer content and utilizing 80 percent less water than the North American paper industry average. In the case of its notable North River® towel and tissue products, 100 percent of the electricity used for manufacturing is offset by Green e-certified wind energy, avoiding 43 million pounds of annual carbon dioxide emissions.

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