The Environment & Wausau Paper
At Wausau Paper, we work hard to safeguard natural resources for future generations. Being responsible environmental stewards is good for the communities in which we operate — and good for the future of our business and our customers.
Environmental Certifications
Wausau Paper's Printing & Writing segment has earned two distinguished certifications, Green Seal™ and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for specific portions of its products line. Wausau Paper's Green Seal™ certifications applies to approximately two-thirds of the company's more than 1,600 commercial printing and writing stock items, includeing the entire Exact Eco 100® line and offerings in 15 other brands. The Green Seal™ certification gives Wausau Paper the broadest assortment of Green Seal™-certified printing and writing papers on the market. Wausau Paper earned FSC certification for its Exact Eco 100® line. FSC certification recognizes products that support the responsible management of the world's forests and forest resources.
Post-Consumer Fiber Reuse
Approximately 80% of Wausau Paper Printing & Writing paper grades contain a minimum of 30% post-consumer fiber, meeting the Executive Order on recycled printing papers. Taking post-consumer fiber use to the maximum, our new Exact Eco 100® product line contains 100% post-consumer fiber. More than 45,000 tons of post-consumer fiber are used each year by Wausau Paper in making our products. This recovery helps reduce the landfill usage by over 150,000 cubic feet — or approximately 2,250 semi truck loads per year.
Wausau Paper Product Lines with Post-Consumer Fiber Content:
Entire product line contains 100% PC Fiber:
Exact Eco 100®
Entire product line contains 30% PC Fiber:
Astroparche®
Exact® Multipurpose
Exact® Opaque Colors
Exact® Opaque White
Royal Complements®
Royal Cotton®
Royal Fiber®
Royal Laid®
Royal Marble®
The following product lines have items containing 30% PC Fiber:
Astrobrights®
Astrobrights Glisten®
Exact Digital®
Exact® Index
Exact® Tag
Royal Linen®
Royal Metallics®
Royal SilkPlus®
Wausau Paper environmental efforts include the following practices:
Use of Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) Pulp
All of our Printing & Writing paper grades are manufactured with Elemental Chlorine-Free pulp. Utilizing ECF pulp helps Wausau Paper achieve pollution prevention and virtually eliminates the release of dioxin into water sources.
Water Conservation
The water management programs Wausau Paper has put in place are designed to maintain the integrity of potable and process water systems and minimize overall consumption of water. Each Wausau Paper Printing & Writing mill has its own wastewater treatment facility for purifi cation of process water prior to discharge from the mill.
Air Quality Improvement Efforts
All emissions are monitored, evaluated and controlled for minimum environmental impact. Our Printing & Writing mill in Groveton, N.H., recently converted to a natural gas/electrical co-generation process that significantly reduced air emissions, virtually eliminating our need for purchased power.
Waste Minimization
Each Wausau Paper facility minimizes emissions and waste by adhering to the reduce–reuse–recycle–recover philosophy. Management teams are in place to direct each area of the process, and we strive for continuous improvement. Each facility has environmental permits, and we work diligently to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of the law by protecting the environment surrounding our facilities.
Energy Management
Energy conservation and reduction is a major focus for Wausau Paper. Our mills have energy taskforce teams designed to manage and minimize energy use. Our mill in Brainerd, Minn., has a hydroelectric dam that produces approximately 30% of its electrical energy needs from this renewable energy source.
Sustainable Forestry Practices
Wausau Paper participates with Wisconsin state government agencies in a program called “The Green Guarantee.” The Green Guarantee is a commitment to practicing and promoting sustainable forestry.
Sustainable forestry means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It combines reforestation and the management of growing, nurturing and harvesting trees for useful purposes. Sustainable forestry also entails conservation of soil, air and water quality, wildlife and fish habitat and aesthetics.
As a member of The Green Guarantee program, Wausau Paper commits to the reforestation of 100% of all lands within five years of completion of harvest. A majority of the land is reforested within the first two years.
Our Commitment
Wausau Paper is committed to being a good environmental citizen in all communities in which we operate. We acknowledge our responsibility to safeguard natural resources and the environment for future generations. We strive to produce environmentally-responsible products for our customers. And we work hard to do the right thing for our environment. That’s why choosing Wausau Paper products for your day-to-day business is a smart and economical choice you can feel good about.