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ISO 14001:2004
In September of 2006, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. received certification for compliance with ISO14001:2004 - the most widely accepted international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Systems and Services Certification, a member of the SGS Group and leader in third-party registration, conducted an independent audit and granted certification to Monadnock’s Bennington, New Hampshire facility for successfully meeting the ISO14001 EMS requirements and having the processes in place to maintain that system.
Components of an Environmental Management System include the following:
Planning - Identify environmental impacts, establish objectives and benchmarks, set goals.
Implementation - Establish responsibilities, training, documentation, and communication.
Evaluation - Are targets being met? What can be improved upon?
Review - Make modifications to improve performance.
Monadnock has identified all of the environmental aspects (operations that affect the environment) and impacts (changes to the environment resulting from those operations) associated with the papermaking process and is focused on improvements in the areas of recycling, energy conservation, materials management, water conservation, solid waste reduction, emission reduction, and pollution prevention.
ISO 9001:2000
Monadnock received ISO 9001:2000 certification in 1995 and was recertified to the revised 2000 standard. The ISO 9001 standard is the most comprehensive ISO certification available. It documents and regulates all company business activities beginning with incoming raw materials and ending with order fulfillment including customer satisfaction.
Prompted by an increasing number of periodic customer audits, the ISO management system addresses most issues associated with our customers’ desires to monitor Monadnock’s business practices. A significant benefit of ISO certification is a stringent corrective action program that has led to many process improvements. This has allowed Monadnock Paper Mills, a company that has always prided itself on products and service of the highest quality, to remain consistent in effectively providing our customers with best quality and service available.
Water
Monadnock’s owners and employees have been concerned about the environment for many years. Extensive studies of methods to treat process wastewater began in 1966. In 1973, prior to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act, Monadnock embarked on the construction of a wastewater treatment facility financed solely by the Corporation. No Federal, State, or Town financial assistance was employed.
Even with an increase in production of 45% over the course of the 1980’s and 1990’s, through conservation efforts Monadnock has reduced water usage by more than 50%, from 1,400,000 to 650,000 gallons per day. From its inception, all treatment plant effluent has met and continues to meet the high quality standards of the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of New Hampshire.
Since recycling is a natural extension of Monadnock’s concern for the environment, a screw press was added to the wastewater treatment process. The press dewaters short paper fiber, a by-product of wastewater treatment, for composting. This solid waste was previously sent to a landfill, but is now put to productive use as a topsoil amendment and as animal bedding for local farms.
Air
Monadnock has made continuous reductions to particulate air emissions and is in compliance with the regulations of both the Federal EPA and the State of New Hampshire. Over the past 10 years, overall emissions have been reduced 46%. In the past 2 years alone emissions were cut 30% overall. A majority of these reductions have come from revised product design, and substituting or increasing the use of benign components for regulated substances.
Recognition
Monadnock has received certificates of achievement for its environmental stewardship from the Sierra Club, the EPA, and a variety of other State and Local environmental organizations including the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention. Monadnock Paper Mills takes great pride in its reputation for advocating sustainable and reasonable environmental initiatives. Members of Monadnock’s staff have been appointed by the Governor of NH to serve on the State’s Water Council and Groundwater Study Commission to assist in the establishment of scientifically based environmental standards and regulations.
The Contoocook River, which flows next to the mill, has been designated for protection under the State’s Rivers Management Program. Monadnock is a member of the local River Advisory Committee, initially providing environmental assessment documentation derived from the environmental impact study associated with the Company’s Federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit. Monadnock Paper Mills has also received recognition for its ongoing support of such groups as WasteCap of NH, New Hampshire Industries of the Future, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the American Forest and Paper Association, The NH Timberlands Association and the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.
Monadnock works closely with Local, State, and Federal officials as part of its commitment to comply with all applicable environmental standards. To assure compliance, the Manager of Environmental Services, reporting directly to the Chairman, oversees all environmental issues from those affecting raw materials through mill operations to the finished product.
"Green Power" Generation
Monadnock generates electrical power through the use of five turbines located along the beautiful Contoocook River. Hydroelectric generation has been a fundamental means of energy supply for the mill since the late 19th century. Over the course of a year, the normal flow of the river allows Monadnock to produce approximately 25% of its electrical needs. Hydroelectric generation is a renewable source of energy, which reduces the Company’s overall dependence on fossil fuels.
Astrolite PC 100®
Today, Monadnock offers Astrolite PC 100®, a premium, 100% post-consumer waste content paper. It is a second-generation recycled paper. With the objective of manufacturing papers that are best in category, Monadnock evolved from a 25% Post Consumer waste content to 100%. A select waste fiber source enabled the creation of Astrolite PC 100®. The result is a unique recycled product in a high brightness, "balanced" white with minimal contamination and dirt. In addition to Astrolite PC 100, Monadnock manufactures a variety of recycled papers on a custom order basis. Monadnock also manufactures conservation papers for museum board products, including facing and backing papers.
Among those customers who recently used recycled Monadnock papers are:
Coca-Cola
The Nature Conservancy
Bristol Meyers-Squibb
The Yellowstone Park Foundation
Center for Tropical Conservation
Fleet Boston
Baudelaire
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SC Johnson
Conservation International
Aveda
Rare
Staples
Home Depot
The Campaign for the Coast (Maine)
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Forest Stewardship Council Certification
Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc is the first in the nation to receive certification through the Forest Stewardship Council’s Chip and Fibre Standard for its line of Astrolite PC 100. The standard was developed to recognize environmentally sound companies, such as Monadnock, for their continued efforts in substituting post consumer waste materials for virgin wood fibers.
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent non-profit organization that sets rigorous forestry standards to promote environmental sustainability.
Comprised of various forestry and environmental groups, The Forest Stewardship Council’s forestry standards are the only ones to be globally recognized by such environmental groups as the World Wildlife Fund.
Process Chlorine Free "PCF"
Astrolite PC 100 is a "PCF" paper or "Process Chlorine Free". No chlorine or chlorine derivative is used in the pulping or papermaking process.
Elemental Chlorine Free "ECF"
Astrolite®, Dulcet® and Caress® are "ECF" papers or Elemental Chlorine Free.
American National Standards Institute Compliance "ANSI"
Monadnock’s printing papers are made to the ANSI standards for product longevity. All are alkaline pH and buffered to assure durability and longevity. In addition these standards are applied to papers made of cotton fibers as well as wood pulp. Longevity is critical for the preservation of documents.
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