Catalyst applauds the government’s commitment to eliminate the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on electricity for commercial and industrial users in its 2017 budget update, which will assist in protecting jobs in British Columbia’s pulp and paper sector, says Len Posyniak, Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Services. Effective this fall, the PST on electricity for commercial and industrial users will be reduced from 7% to 3.5%. On April 1, 2019, electricity for commercial and industrial users will be fully exempt from the PST. Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPM Raflatac has received a new certificate of validity from leading international assurance service provider, DEKRA, for its RafCycle™ recycling service. Going forward, this certification validates the credibility of the CO2 impact assessments provided by RafCycle in Europe and the US. As a result, customers can communicate their environmental contributions in the labeling value chain with increased assurance. “With DEKRA validated CO2 calculation method, RafCycle partners now have access to credible information on the potential benefits of the RafCycle service.This information helps companies make informed decisions and convey their sustainability efforts to stakeholders”, states Juha Virmavirta, RafCycle Director, UPM Raflatac. The global waste issue is significant, with the linear use of materials contributing to climate change. Stricter sustainability regulations and changing consumer preferences are driving the need for better waste management. Despite this, there is still room to improve label release liner recycling rates worldwide.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has expanded its portfolio of biodegradable and renewable fiber-based solutions for food packaging papers, receiving compostability certification from the Biodegradable Products Institute®. Continuing to be at the forefront of sustainable product offerings, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s FluoroFree® and ParaFree® food packaging papers produced in North America are now BPI® certified, in addition to offering multiple sustainability attributes in a single product. These certifications facilitate the possibility for Ahlstrom-Munksjö customers, whether converters or brand owners, to achieve their own sustainability goals. By using a scientific process, BPI officially certifies compostable products that meet ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards for compostability. BPI Certification proves that a material will compost in a commercial composting facility, leaving behind no toxic residue or microplastics.