Sixty Years of Building a Circular Economy at Cascades
Cascades Inc. (TSX: CAS) marks more than six decades devoted to making the circular economy real and practical. Founded in 1964 by the Lemaire brothers, the company started with a simple idea: turn used materials into new, useful products. That idea still drives Cascades today. As a recognized leader in sustainable practices, the company keeps the focus on recycling, smart use of resources, and the role communities play in keeping materials in circulation.
Sustainability in Practice: Innovation That Keeps Materials in Play
Hugues Simon, President and CEO of Cascades, underscores a clear aim: make a positive environmental impact while delivering reliable products. More than 82% of the materials that go into Cascades’ offerings come from recycled sources. Each year, the company diverts about 1.8 million metric tons of recyclable fibers from landfills, keeping valuable material in use and easing pressure on natural resources. In short, the goal is a loop—not a straight line from use to waste.
Encouraging Local Action
Simon notes that progress depends on everyday choices made by both businesses and consumers. When people choose locally made, recycled products, they create steady demand for recovery and reuse. Scale matters, too: if circular economy practices are adopted widely, related initiatives could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 45%. Change can feel incremental, but it adds up.
Recycled Content and Its Effect on GHG Emissions
Hugo D'Amours, Vice-President of Communications and Sustainable Development, highlights a key benchmark: Cascades has reduced its emissions by 41% compared with the industry average. This result reflects the company’s ongoing effort to shrink its footprint while offering eco-friendly packaging that performs without sacrificing quality.
Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Built to advance sustainable packaging and hygiene solutions, Cascades now employs about 10,000 people across nearly 70 production facilities in North America. Deep expertise in recycling, paired with continuous research and development, enables the company to deliver high-quality products that meet changing customer needs while keeping the planet in mind. The aim is steady improvement—designs that work, materials that circulate, and value that lasts.
Looking Ahead: Cascades’ Ongoing Commitment
Cascades’ commitment remains firm: operate responsibly, support communities, and protect the environment. Circular economy principles continue to guide decisions—use resources longer, keep materials in use, and avoid waste where possible. After 60 years, the mission is still clear: innovate and inspire responsible consumption, one product at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cascades’ main focus?
Cascades focuses on advancing the circular economy by turning recovered materials into new products and by innovating in packaging and hygiene solutions that keep resources in use longer.
How long has Cascades been operating?
Cascades has been in operation since 1964—over 60 years of pursuing circular, resource-smart solutions.
What share of Cascades’ materials come from recycled sources?
More than 82% of the materials Cascades uses are recycled, reflecting the company’s core commitment to reuse.
How does Cascades support the circular economy day to day?
By sourcing recycled content, diverting about 1.8 million metric tons of recyclable fibers from landfills each year, and encouraging the purchase of locally made recycled products to strengthen recovery and reuse.
What is Cascades’ direction going forward?
The company plans to keep innovating sustainable packaging and hygiene solutions, further reduce its environmental footprint, and continue promoting responsible consumption grounded in circular economy principles.
