Port Townsend Paper

A demanding responsibility...a history of accomplishment

Responsibilities
Taking our environmental responsibilities seriously, Port Townsend Paper strives to improve operations while complying with environmental regulations. This is not an easy task. We interact with nearly 20 different agencies at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels, and we operate under at least 15 different environmental permits and programs. We have optimized our operations to recover approximately 95% of our process chemicals and 68% of our steam from waste liquor via the chemical recovery boiler. In addition, using steam, we generate over 30% of our electric power requirements. In this case, maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impact go hand-in-hand.

We have five full-time employees who monitor compliance data and report to regulatory agencies. The environmental team is home to a modern laboratory that is accredited by the Washington Department of Ecology. The laboratory participates in EPA and industry quality control audits several times each year. In addition, the company supports and participates in several organizations that help keep track of ever-changing regulations and requirements.

Accomplishments
Port Townsend Paper continually strives to comply with existing laws, with an eye toward the future. This progressive attitude has led to many environmental improvements in our operations over the years. Our more recent accomplishments include:

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT):
To enforce certain parts of the Clean Air Act, EPA groups industries by type and requires all major sources of air emissions to be at least as good as the best 12% of existing sources (those with the lowest air emissions in that industry). The stringent standards EPA develops under this program are labeled with the term Maximum Achievable Control Technology or MACT.

Port Townsend Paper has invested over $8.1 million on MACT projects since 2000, listed chronologically below. We will continue to keep pace with the ever-tightening federal and state requirements facing our industry.

MACT I Phase 1 - MACT I required stringent controls in wood pulping operations. The first stage of MACT began in 2000 with the installation of gas collection and incineration systems and upgrades to the process sewer system. Gas collection is monitored continuously and wastewater treatment system data are collected regularly and tested in an outside laboratory to ensure that destruction of the condensed stream is occurring in compliance with the regulations.

MACT II - EPA designed MACT II for pulping chemical recovery combustion units. Port Townsend Paper implemented its MACT II systems in 2004 when we upgraded air emission controls on our recovery boiler and smelt tank and replaced the scrubber system on our lime kiln stack. Compliance is determined via regular testing and continuous monitors at the stacks.

MACT I Phase 2 - The second phase of MACT I compliance (the third phase of MACT compliance overall) involves expanded controls for wood pulping operations. PTPC completed this stage of projects in March 2006, with the installation of a $3.5-million, state-of-the-art upgrade to the industrial wastewater treatment system. In addition to providing compliance with MACT regulations, the improved system will continue to provide compliance with Port Townsend Paper's water permit. Compliance with this phase is very similar to that for MACT I Phase 1.

Old Corrugated Container (OCC) Recycle Facility:
This facility provides the mill with more than 300 tons of recycled kraft pulp daily. All of our paper grades are manufactured with OCC, the majority of which is post-consumer waste. Our papers, in turn, are also recyclable, extending the chain of sustainability.

State-of-the-Art Oil-Fired Package Boiler:
This boiler replaced three oil-fired boilers from the 1920s. This boiler is more energy efficient than the original boilers. The package boiler uses Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to reduce air emissions. In addition, the new boiler burns very low sulfur fuel oil. The lower sulfur fuel reduces sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid emissions.

Use of Reprocessed Oil (RFO):
This fuel is a recycled product and has a very low sulfur content. It is used in all of the power boilers, recovery furnace, and lime kiln. The use of this fuel has reduced sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid emissions.

Active Recycling Program:
We recycle or recover the following:

metal (iron, steel, aluminum)
scrap wood (pallets, lumber, etc.)
batteries
used oil
aerosol cans
fluorescent light tubes
antifreeze
waste paper & fiber

Salmon Protection:
Port Townsend Paper turned the mouth of the Chimacum Creek over to the State of Washington Fisheries to preserve habitat for an endangered species of salmon. We have also assisted in grant writing to secure the purchase of the balance of the surrounding land.

Active Participation in Policy Issues

Members of our staff participate in committees for the Washington State Department of Ecology and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). NCASI is a national organization committed to using science to develop environmental stewardship policies.

As a member of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Port Townsend Paper Corporation supports the set of forestry principles outlined in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI). The principles of the SFI call for a land stewardship ethic, which integrates the reforestation, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air, and water resources, wildlife and fish habitat, and forest aesthetics values. For more about our involvement with SFI and commitment to the environment, health, and safety, please read our Sustainability Statement.

Membership in AF&PA also involves a commitment to follow a code of Environmental, Health, and Safety Principles & Guidelines. Some requisites of this pledge are to make environmental, health, and safety considerations priorities in operation of existing facilities and in planning new operations; to recognize, in developing and designing products to meet customer needs, the environmental, health, and safety effects of product manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal; and to participate constructively in the development of public policies on environmental, health, and safety issues.

If you have questions or comments about Port Townsend Paper's environmental work, please give us feedback or call (360) 379-4224. You may also access some information about kraft mills and air emissions here.