The newly published 2009 Trends Report by Markets Initiative attempts to spur the North American pulp and paper industry to “remake itself and shift away from consuming intact endangered forests”. The report highlights some solid achievements for 2009, and outlines exciting ideas to meet this challenge.

With a wealth of companies and agencies adopting ancient forest friendly paper procurement policies, there is now a proven demand for recycled and FSC certified paper. The recent collapse of the export market for paper collected through municipal and commercial recycling programs means that there is a wealth of paper in Canada waiting to be recycled. Now we just need regional de-inking facilities to have a wealth of recycled paper. Pity that the one such facility scheduled to open in late 2009 with financial assistance from the Quebec government, the Kruger mill in Trois-Rivières (see original news story ), has just be delayed according to a recent Montreal Gazette article .