International Paper

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Paper Bleaching

Industry: Paper Production

Wastes Reduced: Wastewater

Substance: Dioxin, BOD

Equipment: Chlorine Dioxide

Location: Texarkana TX

No. of employees: 1050

Contact: Ken Howorth

Phone: (903) 796-1412

Description:

International Paper - Texarkana Mill began a cooperative with the Cass County Resource Recovery Facility (CCRRF). To be successful in recycling, CCRRF was in need of a consumer for its fuel pellets made from fiber-based waste materials. The mill realized several advantages to becoming a consumer for fiber-based fuel. Much of the paper produced at the mill is coated with polyethylene. The coating makes the paper difficult to recycle by conventional means. A program was launched to send the coated paper to the CCRRF to be used in the production of a fiber-based fuel. The mill would in turn purchase the fiber-based fuel for their production processes.

P2 Application:

The most innovative aspect of the project is the cooperative effort between the Texarkana mill and the Cass County Resource Recovery Facility. Poly-coated paper has previously been difficult to recycle. Pelletizing the paper by-product into a useable product provides energy, reduces landfilling of solid waste, and protects air quality.

Environmental Benefits:

The project keeps solid waste out of the mill's on-site landfill, approximately 22,000 cubic yards per year. The recycling efforts of the Cass County Resource Recovery Facility reduce solid waste at the regional landfill. Air quality increases by providing the mill with a cleaner burning, renewable fuel source. Burning fiber-based fuels when compared with fossil fuels results in air emission reductions of 21 percent sulfur dioxide, 10-20 percent carbon monoxide, and 67.7 percent nitrogen oxide.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The cost to the mill is essentially zero, CCRRF supplies dumpsters and transportation. The purchase price of pellets is slightly higher when compared to bark, but the mill is expected to break even. The reduction in onsite landfill results in a savings of $220,000 per year.

Source: TCEQ