Paper goods earn green recognition

Tue., March 9, 2010

By Becky Kramer beckyk@spokesman.com (509) 459-5466

Toilet paper and facial tissue produced by Clearwater Paper Corp. will soon carry an environmental endorsement.

Beginning in June, the company’s facial tissue will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program. Clearwater Paper’s premium and ultra grades of toilet paper will have the certification by the end of year. In 2011, the company plans to start certifying premium grades of paper towels.

The certification indicates that the company buys its wood chips from landowners with sustainable forestry practices. Independent audits are part of the certification process.

“Today’s consumer wants assurance that the products they buy come from sustainable sources, and savvy companies recognize that,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance.

Clearwater Paper is the first U.S. tissue supplier offering products with the certification, said Gordon Jones, Clearwater Paper’s president and CEO.

Clearwater Paper, based in Spokane, is reportedly the nation’s largest supplier of private label tissue products to national retail grocery chains. Its pulp mills are in Lewiston, Idaho, and Cyprus Bend, Arkansas.

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Paper goods earn green recognition

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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