The Waste in Paper Manufacture - Report Example

Waste in Paper Manufacture Waste in Paper Manufacture In the present era, one of the main concerns is the accumulation ofwaste that can detrimentally affect the environment. There are many types and sources of wastes and one of these is the paper in use and manufacture. Gaining knowledge and information related to the ways wastes are accumulated in the process of paper manufacture and the different methods undertaken to resolve such issues. Thus, the main objective of the study undertaken is to be able to present the different issues that are related to the waste that can be incurred in paper manufacture. Background Information Paper is one of the products in the market that is produced to meet the demands and the needs of different industries. The main source of paper is pulped wood or other old materials which can be the source of cellulose fiber. The paper products can be considered as one of the largest part of household and industrial wastes. For that matter the move to promote paper recycling came into perspective. One of the main sources of paper wastes that are subjected to recycling is that coming from the process of manufacturing paper (Waste Online). Paper Manufacture To be able to determine the process of preventing the phase of incurring wastes, it is important to determine the different steps in manufacturing paper. There are different phases in the manufacture of paper which includes sheet formation, forming, pressing, drying, converting and finishing. Through the said processes, a considerable amount of paper waste can be generated. The sheet formation is the initial stage where the wood pulp or any primary materials are processed and prepared for the next stage which is forming. The phase of forming the paper for the output product can be considered as the stage wherein the pulp or the material is refined to be able to have the target quality of the paper. For that matter, there is control of quality achieved by segregation, thus, some wastes can be incurred in the said stage (Rhyner and Schwartz 120-122). In the later stages of pressing, drying and converting, the product is continuously molded and processed to be able to fit the standards. Finishing process then is the phase wherein the paper output is cut and where waste paper from trimming can be generated. Based on the process, there are different issues that can be considered in relation to the effects in the environment (Rhyner and Schwartz 120-122). Due to the fact that paper is formed from wood, environmental repercussions of the process became the target of criticisms and actions. This specifically led to the characterization of paper wastes which became the target of required recycling procedure. This then brought about the process of making paper from waste paper and board (Rhyner and Schwartz 120-122). There are different reasons for the need to recycle waste paper. One of the most significant reasons to require such procedure is the fact that paper products can be considered as the largest source of wastes both in the household and the different industries. Based on the 2007 results of US EPA data gathering, wastes from paper constitute 32.7 million tons. The said figures had an increasing trend through the period of 1980 to 2007. Without the process of recycling the 3.66 to 4.62 pounds of wastes that is largely paper is of massive detrimental effects to the continuous accumulation of solid wastes. Through the period though 10 to 33 percent of the said solid wastes are being recycled (US EPA). In the current paper manufacturing scene then, the main sources includes the virgin pulp and the waste paper which can be classified in different types. One is paper manufacturing by using the virgin pulp which is becoming less promoted and even recommended due to the detrimental effects on the pulp sources and the environment. The other type of paper manufacture on the basis of the sources is that which uses waste paper and other recycled sources. Although the recycled raw materials for the paper manufacture is advisable, the virgin pulp can still be considered required due to the need for strength of the paper. For that matter, the actions to recycle are needed to be undertaken to minimize the repercussions to the environment although this cannot be fully eliminated (Rhyner and Schwartz 120-122; US EPA). In general, the recommended process of paper manufacture in the present era is leaning on the use of the waste paper due to advantages that it can bring about in terms of economic and operational cost reduction as well as the positive effect in the quest to save the environment. Compared to the use of virgin pulp sources that can harm and degrade the natural resources the use of waste paper can be considered as the most logical solution. In addition, the recycling of other post-consumer paper sources although advantageous to the welfare of the environment specifically due to the reduction of solid wastes (office papers, printed papers, cardboard, mixed and colored paper, computer print out) can incur comparatively higher operational costs as compared to the traditional process (Rhyner and Schwartz 122). Waste paper then can be considered advantageous on the basis of different points. One is being cheaper compared to wood pulp, thus, there is lower operational and production cost. Another is due to the fact that newer technologies use waste paper as raw material to promote the sustainability in the development within the paper industries. Lastly, the government in different countries established laws that require the use of waste paper while promoting incentives to lessen the impact of paper industries in terms of wood use and accumulation of wastes. Wastes Incurred in Paper Manufacture In the process of paper manufacture, the main waste that can be incurred is the paper waste itself. It can be classified as part of the solid waste of the paper production industry which can be accumulated in the different phases of the process of paper manufacture. The waste paper is mainly gathered in the final stage of the manufacturing process specifically in the cutting, trimming and shaping of the final product. Thus, the said paper waste had been required to be recycled. In the 2004, 74% of the source materials for the total of 6.2 million tons are from waste paper and board materials. This can be considered to help lessen the detrimental effects of the paper production to the environment since virgin pulp are used and the waste that are incurred are reduced (Waste Online). Aside from the wastes that are made up of paper components, there are also additives that can be considered as inorganic and pose danger to the environment. Thus, aside from recycling process, there are different methods for waste disposal and treatment that are needed to be undertaken (Monte, Fuente, Blanco and Negro 298). It is important to consider though that the wastes that can be recovered such as the waste paper be reused and recycled due to fact that it comprise the majority of the waste. In general, the wastes that can be generated from the paper manufacture then can be classified as solid wastes and sludge. The solid wastes, as discussed came from the different stages of paper manufacture such as pulping, deinking, wastewater treatment and the final processes of production. The amount and composition of the solid wastes can vary on the basis of the raw materials, the methods undertaken and the standard quality of the end product (Monte, Fuente, Blanco and Negro 298). The remaining wastes can then be referred to as the sludge which is composed of different types such as treatment sludge, lime mud and other waste materials from the process lime slacker grits, green liquor dregs, ashes from boiler and furnace, scrubber sludge and wood processing residuals (Monte, Fuente, Blanco and Negro 298). Through the period of the promotion of the proper management of wastes, from 40 percent of recovery in 1990 an improvement to 56 percent in 2007 is a significant achievement. For that matter when the projected 60% recovery can be achieved in 2012, it is significantly higher than the figure of waste that is discarded (USA EPA). Conclusion Based on the study undertaken, it can be perceived that the main component of the wastes incurred from the manufacture of paper products are solid wastes such as waste paper and other solid components and the remaining parts as sludge. For that matter, the main actions undertaken by the authorities are related to paper recycling for solid wastes and waste treatment for the waste incurred that cannot be reuse for another set of paper manufacture. In relation to the resolution to issues in relation to the wastes that are incurred in paper manufacture, different actions are also undertaken by the government specifically in terms of legislation and establishment of laws regarding such process. Another action undertaken is the setting up and implementation of incentives to be able to encourage the manufacturers and producers participating in the paper industry through positive influence. In addition, concerned organizations also contribute to be able to act on the issues related to waste management in the paper industries. If the said actions and methods are continuously and strictly implemented, the different types of wastes from paper production can be significantly reduced, thus, ultimately helping in the conservation and taking care of nature. Works Cited Monte, M.C., E. Fuente, A. Blanco and C. Negro. Waste management from pulp and paper production in the European Union. Elvier, 2008: 293-308. Rhyner, Charles R. and Leander J. Schwartz. Waste Management and Resource Recovery. CRC Press, 1995. Waste Online. January 2006. Paper Recycling Information. 11 February 2009 US EPA. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2007. Read More