PAPER RECYCLING
Carton-only bales in Lévis, Quebec, where Sustana Fibers is the first Canadian recycler to process recovered cartons in more than 20 years.
Recycling cartons in Canada is positively significant THE FIRST CANADIAN MILL IN TWO DECADES TO PROCESS RECYCLED CARTONS COULD VERY WELL SPARK A TREND, ACCORDING TO CARTON COUNCIL OF CANADA’S ISABELLE FAUCHER BY KEITH BARKER, EDITOR
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his past spring, the Sustana Fibers paper mill in Lévis, Quebec, became the first in two decades to accept sorted recovered cartons in Canada. Formerly, with 33,000 tonnes of cartons collected, all sorted bales sold for recycling in Canada were sent to three recyclers in the U.S. or other international buyers. Sustana says the decision to begin accepting recovered cartons at their Lévis facility reflects their strategic commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as an overall increased demand
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for paper products, such as toilet paper and paper towels. This demand has increased since the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020, and at the same time SOP (Sorted Office Paper) volumes have diminished significantly as businesses have slowed down considerably. Recovered cartons are a good alternative to SOP. “By recycling alternative fibres, we are proud to enhance our support for a thriving circular economy and help conserve precious resources,” commented Michele Bartolini. “We are also keen to do our part, supporting the supply chain working to make the products people need. By sourcing the cartons locally we reduce CO2 emissions and create new jobs locally.”
According to Isabelle Faucher, managing director of the Carton Council of Canada, who has worked with Sustana Lévis in making the transition to carton recycling, “Local end-markets go handin-hand with the concept of a lowcarbon, circular economy. While there are buyers for used cartons in other jurisdictions, having a recycling option closer to home further strengthens the sustainability of the carton recycling supply chain.” She says Sustana’s recycling of cartons in Quebec is significant environmentally, providing an added “pull” for domestic materials recovery and waste diversion, and economically supporting local jobs and contributing to the
