Center For Hazardous Materials Research (CHMR)
This pollution prevention practices described here have been developed specifically for the paper industry and have been implemented in other paper manufacturing
Pollution prevention is the reduction or elimination of discharges or emissions to the environment. This includes all pollution: hazardous and non-hazardous, regulated and unregulated, across all media, and from all sources. Pollution prevention can be accomplished by reducing the generation of wastes at their source (source reduction) or by using, reusing or reclaiming wastes once they are generated (environmentally sound recycling).
Each of the pollution prevention practices described in this fact sheet is an extension of the simple but powerful idea that it makes for more sense to eliminate the generation of waste than to develop complex and costly treatment schemes once it has been generated.
Pollution prevention is good business. While most pollution control strategies cost money, pollution prevention has saved many firms thousands of dollars in treatment and disposal costs alone.
Many companies have already discovered the tremendous benefits of pollution prevention. The 3M Co.'s "Pollution Prevention Pays" Program has eliminated the annual generation of more than 500,000 tons of pollutants. Cumulative savings since the program began in 1975 are estimated at $426 million.
Smaller companies can also benefit. One firm reduced its hazardous waste disposal costs by 74% and decreased raw material costs by 16%.
By reducing or eliminating wastes a farm can:
A systematic approach will produce better results than piecemeal efforts. An essential first step is a comprehensive waste audit. The waste audit should systematically evaluate opportunities for improved operating procedures, process modifications, process redesign and recycling.
To conduct a waste audit, follow these steps:
Pollution prevention shouldn't be a new idea to the pulp and paper making industry. The industry is recognized for its extensive use of its own waste as a raw material. Waste wood supplies 30 percent of the industry's fiber and waste paper provides another 25 percent. Most of the water used in making paper is recycled water. And the recovery of pulping chemicals is an integral part of the kraft pulping process.
However, opportunities to reduce waste still exist According to Department of Commerce figures, in 1988 the paper manufacturing industry spent $1.3 billion on pollution control. The pollution prevention practices described here have been developed specifically for the paper industry and have been implemented in other paper manufacturing facilities.
Not all of these measures will apply to every facility. Each practice must be evaluated in light of facility-specific factors including site location, energy sources, costs, product performance requirements, and other environmental protection activities. The advantages and disadvantages of each measure must be examined individually at each site.
Good operating procedures rely not on changes in technology or materials, but on human adaptability. Small changes in personnel practices, housekeeping, inventory control, waste stream segregation, material handling and scheduling improvements, spill and leak prevention and preventive maintenance can mean big waste reductions.
The applicability of each of these practices will depend upon the unique circumstances of each individual pulp and papermaking facility. These techniques have worked for some companies:
Rethinking an entire production or manufacturing process can be a very effective way of preventing pollution. Often the new process is more efficient and costs less to operate. Upgrading the system not only reduces waste but can improve product quality, save money by reducing the need for maintenance, and increase control of raw materials used in production. Consider the following process modifications:
Engineers working with the papermaking industry have traditionally designed and modified process equipment to maximize recovery of product and unconverted raw materials. Now the costs of end-of-pipe treatment and disposal have made source reduction an equally good investment. Greater reductions are possible when process engineers trained in pollution prevention incorporate waste reduction into process redesign projects. Designs that reduce the amount of waste generated can also reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. For example:
The paper industry already extensively uses waste materials as raw materials. About 55 percent of the industry's fiber requirements are met by recycling potential wastes. Eighty percent of the post-consumer waste recovered in the United States is paper.
While these practices may not apply to every pulp and paper making facility, they have worked for some facilities:
Pollution prevention requires a new attitude about pollution control. Traditional thinking places all the responsibility on a few environmental experts in charge of treatment. The new focus makes pollution prevention everyone's responsibility. Preventing pollution may be a new role for production-oriented managers and workers, but their cooperation is crucial. It will be the workers themselves who must make pollution prevention succeed in the workplace.
Management commitment and employee participation are vital to a successful pollution prevention program. Management can demonstrate its commitment to pollution prevention and encourage employee participation by:
Center for Hazardous Materials Research (CHMR)
320 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(800) 334-CHMR
(412) 826-5320
James Hemby
Pollution Prevention Program
U.S. EPA Region III
841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9800
Greg Harder
Division of Waste Minimization and Planning
PA Department of Environmental Resources
PO Box 2063
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-7382
American Paper Institute
160 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 340-0600
National Council Of _____________
Paper Industry Management Assimilation
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry
For Air & Stream Improvement, Inc.
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 532-9349
2400 Oakton Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(703) 956-0250
Technology Park/Atlanta
P.O. Box 105113
Atlanta, GA 30348
(404) 446-1400
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