United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
4303
EPA-821-F-96-002
July 1995
FACT SHEET:
Reducing Pollutant Discharges from the Pulp, Paper,
and Paperboard Industry - Notice of Data Availability
Summary
EPA is publishing a notice in the Federal Register that describes the Agency's goals for environmental
improvement in the pulp, paper, and paperboard industry and announces the availability of new data related
to this action. This notice also discusses the preliminary results of detailed analyses related to the
development of effluent EmitaSons gukMnes for a portion of this industry. EPA's preliminary analyses indicate
that the amount of oJoxin and furan in wastewater would be substantially reduced if industry adopts either of
the two technologies described in the notice - Le., dtoxin would be reduced approximately 95% and furan dose
to 99% from 1992 levels. Lastly, this notice discusses an Innovative new approach to foster continuing
environmental improvement through the development and use of a voluntary incentives-based program for
implementing advanced pollution prevention technologies that move the industry closer to meeting the Clean
Water Act (CWA) goal of zero discharge.
Background
In December 1993, EPA requested comments
and information on its proposed limitations
and standards to reduce the discharge of
pollutants to surface waters and air emissions
from the pulp, paper, and paperboard industry.
Since then, EPA has obtained new information
and has published several notices in the
Federal Register making the information
available to the public.
EPA is continuing to review this information
and is assessing projected compliance costs,
technology options, effluent reduction benefits,
economic impacts, environmental impacts,
management practices, recovery systems,
equipment availability, and other factors in
developing the final effluent limitations and air
emission standards.
Stakeholder Discussions
The Agency has held numerous public
meetings on the proposed air and water rules
and the information that has been gathered
since the rule was proposed. EPA held
numerous meetings with many individual
companies, environmental groups, an industry
association, consultants and vendors, labor
unions, and other interested parties. New
material has been added to EPA's Water
Docket to document these meetings, and to
make additional information and the
preliminary results of recently completed
detailed analyses available to the public.
EPA's Regulatory Framework
EPA is planning to issue final effluent
limitations guidelines and standards for mills in
the pulp and paper industry in phases. Each
phase consists of several subcategories.
Initially, EPA will promulgate limitations and
standards for the two Phase One
subcategories: the proposed Bleached
Papergrade Kraft and Soda subcategory and
the proposed Papergrade Sulfite subcategory.
Phase One Goals
In developing final limitations and standards
for the Phase One subcategories, EPA, at this
time, is considering a final rule that would
incorporate the following:
• Reductions in the discharge of harmful
pollutants to the air and surface waters through
the development of air emission and effluent
limitation standards.
-------
• A voluntary incentives program to
encourage and reward individual mills that
install advanced tecimologies and go
beyond EPA’s guidelines and standards
moving them closer to the CWA goal of
zero discharge. There are indications that
this approach may be widely accepted by
many mills in the industry:
- The industry has recently made progress
in reducing toxic discharges in advance
of proposed limitations and standards.
- A number of mills are currently
employing promising technologies that
appear to further reduce the discharge of
harmful pollutants beyond EPA’s
proposed limitations and standards.
• A long-term research program leading to
continued environmental improvements.
Technology Options for Phase One Mills
At this time, EPA is considering two
technology options for setting final effluent
limitations and standards for mills in the
proposed Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda
subcategory.
• Option A is complete substitution of chlorine
dioxide for chlorine as the key process
technology.
• Option B is oxygen delignification (or extended
coclcing) with complete substitution of chlorine
dioxide for chlorine as the key process
technology.
EPA has not completed its final detailed
analysis. However, analysis to date demon-
strates that Option A - complete substitution
of chlorine dioxide for chlorine — should be
given equal weight as a possible basis for the
final rule for this subcategoiy. Additional
comments sent to EPA will assist the Agency
in maldng a final determination.
mills in the Papergrade Sulfite subcategory.
Comments and new data that EPA has
received indicate the initial technologies that
were being considered by EPA may not be
feasible for all papergrade sulfite mills.
Comments on the notice will help EPA
determine the most feasible option for the
various types of mills in this subcategory.
Environmental Benefits
EPA’s review of the new information indicates
that discharges of dioxin and furans in the
wastewater from mills in the Bleached
Papergrade Kraft and Soda subcategory will
be substantially reduced under either of the
two technology options that are being
considered. EPA ’s preliminary analyses
indicate that either technology will reduce
dioxin discharges by approximately 95% and
furan discharges by nearly 99% from 1992
levels. Reduced discharges of these
compounds most likely will lead to a
substantial reduction in the number of dioxin-
based fish consumption advisories issued in
waters downstream from these mills.
Industry Incentives
EPA’s vision of long-term environmental goals
for this industry is based on continuing
research and progress toward environmental
improvement. EPA is considering including a
voluntary incentives program to reward mills
that further reduce pollutant discharges by
installing advanced pollution prevention
technologies. If a mill chooses to participate
in this program, they would agree to certain
formal requirements reflecting substantial
reductions in wastewater flow and discharges
of chlorinated organics that can only be
achieved through advanced pollution
prevention technologies. In return, they would
receive compliance and enforcement incentives
such as extended discharge compliance
schedules, greater certainty in permit reduced
effluent monitoring requirements, reduced
inspections, and public recognition.
EPA is considering further segmenting the
-------
Future Plans
After promulgating effluent limitations
guidelines and standards for mills in the Phase
One subcategories, EPA is planning to
promulgate final rules for the Phase Two and
Phase Three subcategories.
Additional Information
For information regarding effluent guidelines
limitations for this industry, contact:
Mr. DonaldAnderson
U. L Environmental Protection Agency (4303)
401M. St., LW,
Woihington, D.C. 20460
Telephone number: 202-260-7189
or
Mr. Ronald Jordan
(address as above)
Telephone number: 202-260-7115
For information regarding air emissions
standards, contact:
Ms. Penny Lassiter
Emissions Standards Division (A fD-13)
U.S. Enviromnental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Parlç NC 27711
Telephone number: 919-541-5396
EPA Water Docket
For access to the additional information
regarding the effluent guidelines limitations for
the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard industry.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Docket
401M.SL,S.W.
Room M-2616
Washington, D.C., 20460
Telephone number: 202-260-3027
You may view the entire Federal Register
notice that describes the new infonnation for
the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Rule on the
Internet at: httpi/www.epa.gov/EPA-WATER
PROPOSED SUBCATEGORIES
PIu’ SE ONE
1. Bleached Papergrade Kraft and
Soda
2. Papergrade Sulfite
PHASE TWO
1. Unbleached Kraft
2. Semi—Chemical
3. Mechanical Pulp
4. Non-Wood Chemical Pulp
5. Secondary Fiber Deink
6. Secondary Fiber Non—Deink
7. Fine and Lightweight Papers
from Purchased Pulp
8. Tissue, Filter, Non—Woven, and
Paperboard from Purchased Pulp
PHASE THREE
1. Dissolving Kraft
2. Dissolving Sulfite
------- |