Cascades’ Lachute Plant Receives LEED Certification
Cascades has expanded its Tissue Group plant in Lachute, Quebec and has received the LEED Gold certification. The plant is the first paper manufacturing facility to obtain the certification in Canada.
The expansion project of the plant received the Gold level of LEED certification because of Cascades’ continuous efforts to reduce its ecological footprint. This concern demonstrates the company’s will to remain at the forefront of environmental protection, which concerns not only its production activities but also the continuous improvement of its buildings.
The project was recognized for its reduction of drinking water consumptions, the use of regional materials, and the presence of certified wood. The project was also acknowledged because it offers a 58% reduction in energy costs, when compared to a Canadian reference building. The CaGBC applauded the fact that 86.6% 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,” said Alain Lemaire, president and CEO 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.”