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Pulp and Paper Mill Sites

Contamination from pulp and paper mills can pose a very real danger to human and environmental health. The contaminants released span the full spectrum of toxicity, from suspended solids to carcinogens like dioxins. Remediation of sites contaminated by these chemicals can be costly and time consuming, but it can be done. The Technical Approaches to Characterizing and Clean Up of Pulp and Paper Mill Brownfields Sites provides and overview of the contaminants and remediation technologies typically used at pulp and paper mill brownfields, yet every site is unique, and developers will need to develop a remediation plan based upon the contamination actually present on-site.
A centerpiece in America's agricultural and industrial past, wood product and paper mills were some of the earliest mills in the country. From the first paper mill established in Pennsylvania in 1690 to modern, large-scale sawmill operations in the South and the Pacific Northwest, wood product and paper mills were always a staple of the American economy. The shift is to a global market, fluctuations in the availability of timber, and the modernization of the manufacturing process left many communities with abandoned and/or underused wood and paper mill properties. According to the 1972 U.S. Census data, there were approximately 40,000 operating wood and paper product facilities in the U.S. In 2002, that number had dropped to approximately 23,000 (EPA, 2002).
Former wood product and paper mill properties have several common features that make them particularly attractive to developers, including:
  1. Waterfront redevelopment potential – Most wood product and paper mills are located along bodies of water, creating opportunities for waterfront redevelopment. In rural areas, waterfront property is ideal for recreational use, while in towns or cities its scenic attributes make it valuable for greenspace and mixed-use redevelopment.
  2. Recreational development – Because of their proximity to public lands, many of these properties can be reused for recreation and tourism.
  3. Historic preservation – Since many wood product and paper mills date back to the 1800s and are considered historic landmarks, they are eligible for a variety of federal, state, and local historic preservation grants. Historic preservation also extends and enhances the heritage, value, and cultural elements of the community.
Pulp and paper mills are typically classified into the following categories:
  1. Market Pulp Mills – These mills produce pulp which is shipped to other facilities for the production of paper and paper products
  2. Non-integrated Mills – These mills manufacture paper from pulp, but do not produce either the pulp or the final paper goods.
  3. Intergrated Mills – These mills produce pulp for use in producing paper at the same facility (pulp and paper mills).
  4. Converting Facilities – These facilities use paper and paperboard stock to manufacture products such as envelopes and stationery, corrugated and paperboard boxes, bags, fiber cans and drums, napkins, tissues, and paper towels.
  5. De-inked Pulp Mills – These facilities remove ink from recycled paper and produce pulp that is blended with virgin pulp to form paper.
The redevelopment of former wood product and paper mill properties involves a number of complicating issues, including:
  1. Contamination – Former wood product mills typically are contaminated with wood-treating chemicals and residual waste material. Many still have abandoned and leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) that were once used to store fuel to power the machinery. Soil and groundwater contaminants can include petroleum, VOCs, creosote, dioxins, and lead.
  2. Unclear government jurisdiction – Because many former wood product mills are located on water bodies, government jurisdictions often overlap. Resolving jurisdictional issues can cause lengthy delays and contribute to setbacks in the implementation of cleanup and redevelopment plans.
  3. Historic preservation – Because many wood product and paper mills date back several centuries, they are considered historic landmarks and require preservation. Historic preservation enhances the cultural landscape and protects the heritage of the area, but it also can increase project costs.
Resources for Pulp and Paper Mills is available in the Links to Resources for Pulp and Paper Mills Exhibit.
Exhibit: Links to Resources for Pulp and Paper Mills
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