Pollution Prevention Opportunities In Paper Manufacturing

Helpful information from
U.S. EPA Region III
Philadelphia, PA

October 1990

For More Information

....... Paper I....
160 Madison Ave.
Now York. MY 10016
212-340-0600

Council of the Paper ...For
Air & ... improve Inc.
260 ..... Avenue
New York. NY 10016
212-532-9349

Paper ........
24000 ..... Street
...... Heights. IL 60005
312-956-0250

T ..... of the Pulp and Paper
Industry
P.O. Box 105113
..... GA 30348
404-446-1400

US EPA
703-821-4800 (into)
703-506-1025 (Access)

What Can You Do?

This fact sheet lists specific pollution prevention practices that have been successful in a number of paper manufacturing operations. Use this fact sheet along with the "Pollution Prevention Opportunities" fact sheet to gather ideas on how to reduce your wastes.

Improve Operations

• Use as little water as possible.
  
• Use non-halogenated solvents or non-toxic cleaners to clean machinery and prevent contamination of other materials.
  
• Optimize digester operations to maximize the output of usable fiber.

Modify the Process

• Concentrate the solids in ...lack liquor by evaporation.
  
• Improve the washing of brownstock to reduce dioxin precursors prior to the bleaching process and to reduce the BOD loads.
  
• Build spill pits to catch process water so it can be reused.
  
• Install savealls for fiber recovery.
  
• Reduce water usage and sludge production with dry barking of wood.
  
• Process wastewater treatment sludge using, wet air oxidation technology to produce a useful filler material.
  
• Reduce the amount of chlorine used in the bleaching process by employing stricter controls or replacing part of the chlorine with chlorine dioxide or oxygen compounds.
  
• Implement an oxygen or extended delignification process prior to the bleaching process.
  
• Choose additives to minimize the potential to form dioxin when exposed to chlorine.

Reuse & Recycle

• Recycle secondary fibers through a strainer or filtration unit and reuse fibers in paper manufacturing.
  
• Recycle used heated water through a multiple pass system instead of a single pass system to reduce fuel consumption and the amount of water needing treatment.
  
• Recycle boxes, paper bags and newsprint.
  
• Recycle solvents used for cleaning.