Strong Demand Doubles Number of Environmental Papers in 18 months

NORTH AMERICAN MILLS GIVEN LIFELINE

VANCOUVER ­ February 3rd 2010 - The number of leading environmental printing and writing grade papers produced in North America has more than doubled from 97 to 228 in the past 18 months according to information released today by Canopy, an environmental non-profit organization that works to improve the environmental performance of paper and wood companies. The sharp increase in eco-paper options is the result of large paper buyers demanding more papers with ecological attributes, a growing trend despite recent troubles in the North American paper industry and global economy.

“We¹re witnessing a phenomenal shift in the paper industry where sustained and growing green demand is steering paper production towards ecofriendly options, giving a life line to mills and a future for our endangered forests and species ² said Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director of Canopy.

Canopy¹s ecopaper database is the most rigorous North American census of eco paper options available. It tracks the quality of all papers and rates them so that consumers can be informed of the best ecological options.

For Cascades, a Canadian recycled fine paper manufacturer, the development of sustainable products for publishing is an on-going a success. Since 2006, sales of Rolland Enviro100 Book, a 100% post-consumer book paper, have increased an average of 90% every year. ³Focusing on recycled fibre is for us a natural path" said François Bélisle, General Sales Manager, Sales and Marketing for Cascades Specialty Papers. Cascades produces 23 papers that received the highest available rating.

Meanwhile, NewPage Corporation, the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America with its own de-inking recycled fibre operation achieved a significant milestone in 2009 surpassing one million tons of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sales. It anticipates its next FSC sales milestone won¹t be far away as FSC chain of custody sales were up over 25% again in 2009 and continue strong growth.

While the newspaper industry has seen a 25% decline in overall newsprint consumption during the past 12-months, the number of ecological newsprint sheets has doubled since 2006 - demonstrating that environmental protection has become a business imperative.

Growth of demand for ecopapers benefits both the economy and the environment, something Canopy had been advocating for the past ten years.

By using less virgin tree fibre for paper production, producers are reducing the carbon footprint of their papers and alleviating some of the pressure on carbon rich forests such as North America¹s Boreal Forest and the endangered species that call it home such as the woodland caribou.

The number of the environmentally rigorous papers suitable for book, magazine and newsprint publishers has gone from 97 to 228 since 2008. In addition, Canopy has expanded the variety of paper types included in the database, which now holds more than 350 of the best eco papers on the market.

The ecopaper database is updated regularly.

Visit the database at: http://canopyplanet.org/EPD/index.php

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About Canopy : Canopy is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making the conservation of wild places a reality. We work to protect the world's forests, species and climate by collaboratively engaging the business community and public to create a sustainable and innovative supply chain.

Source : Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director, Canopy ­ 778-987-9099

Neva Murtha

2nd Harvest and Magazine Campaigner

Canopy

604-886-4966

neva@canopyplanet.org

www.canopyplanet.org

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