Paper Mill Waste and Residuals

Producing as little waste as possible is one of our goals. Continuously recycling and reusing our pulping chemicals through the use of a recovery boiler is just one example. If waste cannot be eliminated from the production process, it is used beneficially and becomes a secondary product. Reducing waste production and using waste in a beneficial manner allows Glatfelter to continuously lessen its environmental impact from the papermaking process. Waste that cannot be eliminated or used in some beneficial manner is landfilled as a last resort.

At Glatfelter’s Spring Grove, PA, mill:

• Coal ash is used for strip mine reclamation.
• Wastewater treatment plant residuals are burned in the circulating fluidized bed boiler for energy recovery or land applied.
• Turpentine from the softwood pulping line is collected and shipped off-site for use in manufacturing paints and other products.
• Wood waste is burned in our power boilers for energy recovery.

At Glatfelter’s Chillicothe, OH, mill:

• Wastewater treatment plant residuals are used for strip mine reclamation.
• Pulping materials such as knots or lime are used for composting and as a soil amendment.
• Turpentine from the pulp mill is collected and shipped off-site for use in manufacturing paints and other products.

At Glatfelter’s European facilities:

• Waste water treatment plant sludge is land applied.
• Off quality paper is recycled at other paper mills into useful products.