A Greener Tomorrow
The company, whose offices are located in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough, is ranked fifth among Canada’s soap manufacturers. Beyond the national realm, it has been developing a global presence in Europe, with the arrival of Costco France, Costco Spain and Asia. Caprina’s smiling goat can be found on the shelves of many overseas retailers, including big-box stores, drugstores and specialty shops. With one million bars of soap produced each month, and boasting an enviable position within the industry, André Beauregard and his team have been working hard over the past few years to make operations more environmentally friendly. “We hope to stand out from our competitors by making smarter decisions,” he said.
Since 2013, whenever the company has had to replace one of its vehicles, it has opted for hybrid technology. It has equipped its warehouse with smart lighting to reduce energy use, and its shipping boxes are made with recycled cardboard. Four years ago, it began using thinner cardboard for its packaging (with 8% less corrugation) and it continues to work toward increasing its sustainable practices. Finally, the company has been testing different printing methods using vegetal-based inks and improving the recyclability of its plastics. In addition, Canus produces sustainable, carbon-negative palm oil for its Nature line. Handpicked from a strictly organic, 4,000-hectare plantation, palm fruits are pressed without consuming external energy. In fact, the boiler used to extract the palm oil is fuelled by palm tree husks and fibres.