Flambeau Papers Earns Sustainability Recognition

Flambeau River Papers of Park Falls was recently recognized by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council.

The paper company earned Green Professional status under the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council’s Green Masters Program. To earn the label, Flambeau River Papers performed actions in each of nine sustainability areas.

“Flambeau River Papers has really adapted to the current economy by embracing the social, environmental, and economic pillars of sustainability,” Tom Eggert, executive director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. “They are using less material and generating less waste while still making the same amount of product. They’ve also maintained their crucial mutual relationship with the community of Park Falls.”

Flambeau River Papers produces paper materials using up to 100 percent post-consumer waste with sustainably harvested wood at its mill - and the company also generates some of its own energy. The company employs just over 300 people.

“On the steam side, heat recovery products alone have allowed us to physically remove a boiler from our property," said Mill President Randy Stoeckel. "On the energy side, an upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant in 2010 resulted in a 12 percent energy savings. We are also proud that no sludge was landfilled in 2010.”

The Green Professional designation is the second highest tier in the Green Masters Program established by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Candidates are judged on a comprehensive range of sustainability issues from energy and natural resource use to education outreach and purchasing.

So far, 60 Wisconsin businesses have participated in the program where the top 20 percent achieve the highest “Green Master” designation. For a complete list of Green Masters Program participants, go to: http://www.greenmastersprogram.com.