Question

Unit VI discusses pollution prevention in the pulp and paper industry and the concrete paving industry. Please discuss any experiences that you have with these industries, especially those related to pollution prevention. If you don't have experience in those industries, discuss your experiences as a user of paper and pavements. Also, discuss your thoughts about P2 opportunities (make sure to address the concepts identified in the readings and/or textbook in providing your informed comments and discussion). Include reference sources via a reference list. Feel free to discuss some of the readings for this week including the importance of management setting the corporate tone for pollution prevention (as in the paper mill article).

Answer 1

There is very high concentration of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, bisulfites, elemental chlorine or chlorine dioxide, calcium oxide, hydrochloric acid, etc in the wastewaters generated from production of Paper industry . These wastewaters are high in organic content , dark brown in color , are high in adsorbable organic halide (AOX) and have toxic pollutants.

Some steps that the pollution control board has taken to prevent pollution in paper and pulp industry which involve some reformulations which create non-polluting or less polluting products .Creating processes or products by different raw materials. Recycling the by products for sale or by use in other industries are enlisted below :

Chemical recovery systems

Chlorinated compounds prevention

Substitution of Secondary fiber

Delignification Extention

Delignification of Oxygen

Delignification of Ozone

Spill Control and Prevention of Black Liquor

Enzyme Treatment of Pulp

Improved Chemical Controls and Mixing

Management setting the corporate tone for pollution prevention:

Innovative non-chlorine bleaching practices to minimize and eliminate the color and AOX in the effluent.

Disposing lime sludge from chemical recovery.

Odor emission can be minimized.

Fresh water consumption can also be minimized.

Waste paper recycling as raw material to be increased.

Pollution prevention in concrete industry:

Construction materials are classified as hazardous or pollution causing when they are leaked or spilled which include oil, gasoline, lubricants, solvents, paint, asphalt products, fertilizer, and concrete curing compounds. Some of the pollution prevention methods are :

Cover the materials while storing it and also do not store it near drainage areas.

Berms and curbs can be used around truck loading areas , near aggregate piles and truck washing stations and drum wash-out areas.

There can also be chemical staging areas to collect contaminated storm water and for processing wastewater.

The size of the process area can be minimized.

Reduce exposure to rainfall by having pavements of roofs on top of the material.

Reusing wastewater and the wash water and also use storm water for concrete batching.

Routing all airborne dust emissions generated by material loading/mixing operations to fabric filtering systems.

Ref : http://www.igep.in/live/hrdpmp/hrdpmaster/igep/content/e48745/e49028/e51797/e52844/02_PulpPaperSector-RegulatoryOverview_BRNaidu_CPCB.pdf

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/stormwatermgt/MDOT_MS4_How_Concrete_Producers_Can_Protect_Waterbodies_208452_7.pdf