Papermakers turn green, study says

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

From an article by Joel Dresang in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Saying that papermaking is "one of our planet's most significant environmental challenges," a coalition of environmental groups on Tuesday released a report citing progress by the paper industry and pushing for more improvements.

The report is the first from the Environmental Paper Network to monitor several indicators suggesting the impact of paper consumption and paper manufacturing on the environment. The industry plays an essential role in Wisconsin, which has led the nation in paper production since 1953.

Among the findings is evidence of increased reuse of paper, scrutinized forestry practices and cleaner manufacturing processes. . . .

For instance, papermakers have been struggling with the escalating cost of energy.

"It drove the previous owners out," said Bill Johnson Jr., government affairs director at Flambeau River Papers, which last year took over the closed Smart Papers mill in Park Falls.

Flambeau River has been developing alternative fuel systems that are saving expenses and the environment, reducing daily coal consumption on one boiler to 10 tons from 55, with plans to phase out coal in the next three months.