Transcontinental Ross-Ellis is mobilizing on every front to protect the environment. With initiatives such as environmentally friendly packaging, cyberbulletins, recycling and FSC certification, the plant deserves an A+ on the Transcontinental blackboard.

On the client side, it is offering more and more choices in ecological packaging for CDs, DVDs and now Blu-ray^TM. From 100% recycled cardboard packaging to packaging in which one plastic case contains 3 disks (reducing the material by 56%, volume by 55% and weight by 66%) or to Digipak® cases made of 100% recycled plastic, the plant offers a broad range of solutions that are in line with and even ahead of trends.

To keep everyone up to date, the latest info, environmentally friendly initiatives and other news from Transcontinental Ross-Ellis is announced five times a year in an ebulletin, Ross-Info, sent out to some 1800 customers and interested parties.

In the plant itself, all the inks are vegetable based and made using renewable resources; all the varnishes are water-based and biodegradable; its press and blanket cleaning products contain the lowest level of volatile organic compounds (VOC); 100% of its paper, cardboard and plastic waste is recycled. In 2007 the plant earned the FSC chain-of-custody designation.

Plus, awareness of ways to protect the environment is building among employees, who are increasingly shutting off computers when they are not being used, turning out lights when no one is in a room, eating from reusable dishes... Never has the plant been so green!

Transcontinental Inc. has received triple chain of custody certification in all 45 of its facilities in Canada and the United States. This certification designates that the process by which paper is made promotes sustainable forest management standards. Transcontinental has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Transcontinental clients in Canada and the United States will have their work designated with the appropriate FSC, SFI or PEFC logo when work is printed on certified paper, which ensures the process by which the paper is made promotes well managed forests. These printed pieces can be tracked from the harvesting of the wood through distribution as part of a chain of custody process, and ensures that only papers that have been certified are printed with the appropriate logo.

“Transcontinental is committed to sustainable development and we are proud that our facilities have earned triple chain of custody certification,” said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Transcontinental Inc. “In 2007, we introduced a Paper Purchasing Policy in order to offer our customers choices suited to their environmental goals, and this certification is an extension of our commitment.”

The third party audit was performed by SmartWood for FSC and by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for PEFC and SFI.

FSC, Yes. And There’s More.
What does it actually mean for Transcontinental’s customers when we become FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified? FSC Canada says: “When you use or print on paper that’s FSC certified, you’re choosing the best in environmental and social standards.”

More specifically, the FSC logo means that the paper comes from well-managed forests and known sources. Local communities benefit and sensitive areas are protected. As the Forest Stewardship Council says: “It’s a real commitment, on paper. And it’s guaranteed.”